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Min Read
In this direction, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced significant changes in English textbooks. Under these changes, greater importance is now being given to Indian academicians and writers instead of foreign authors while preparing English textbooks. It is expected that students will start studying this new indigenous syllabus from the current academic year.
NCERT has made extensive revisions to the Class 9 English textbook. According to educationists, these changes have made the syllabus clearer, more balanced and slightly shorter than before. The new book places special emphasis on Indian literature and the works of Indian authors. It includes a chapter by Sudha Murty and also features works by the great poet and writer Rabindranath Tagore.
According to an NCERT official, the book earlier contained a total of 29 chapters, which have now been reduced to 16. Earlier, about 15 out of these 29 chapters were written by foreign or international authors. This practice continued from the academic session 2006-07 until 2025-26, but it has now been revised under the new policy.
Officials also stated that earlier there were two separate English textbooks for Class 9, but these have now been reduced to a single book. The new English textbook has been titled 'Kaveri.' The first chapter of this book has been taken from Sudha Murty’s book How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories, which was published in 2004.
The new English textbook has been prepared in accordance with the National School Education Curriculum Framework 2023. It includes works by several Indian authors, including the renowned Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, Naga writer Temsula Ao, celebrated poet Rabindranath Tagore and Assamese novelist Mitra Phukan.
NCERT officials stated that the new books give special importance to the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). Out of the 16 chapters in the new English textbook, 8 chapters have been written by Indian authors, while 6 chapters are taken from international writers. The objective of these changes is to connect students with Indian culture, literature and knowledge traditions while continuing to provide modern education.
