The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) marked its 66th Foundation Day on September 1, with Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi outlining an ambitious roadmap to transform school education across India under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 .
Speaking at the foundation day event, the Education Minister emphasised NCERT's pivotal role in reshaping the country's educational landscape, with revised textbooks for Classes 10 to 12 being prepared in "mission mode" to align with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 .
New Textbooks Across All Grades
NCERT has already introduced new textbooks for Classes 1 to 9, with digital and print versions for Classes 1 to 8 now available to students across the country . The phased rollout will continue with:
- Class 9 books: Introduction in the 2026-27 academic session
- Classes 10 and 11 books: Rollout from the 2027-28 academic session
Multilingual Education Push
In a significant step towards inclusive education, NCERT is preparing textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution . Additionally, the council is developing 121 primers, including 93 for tribal languages, to ensure children from diverse linguistic backgrounds can learn in their mother tongue .
This initiative aligns with research findings that children learn more effectively when taught in a language they understand, enabling them to participate more actively and express their ideas with greater clarity and confidence .
Technology-Enabled Learning
To support modern, technology-enabled education, the Union Education Minister inaugurated several new facilities at NCERT, including:
- A Robotics Learning Centre
- A Translation Lab
- An upgraded television studio
- These facilities are designed to enhance learning outcomes through innovative teaching methods and digital resources.
Strengthening Teacher Development
NCERT's foundation day celebrations come at a time when India is intensifying its focus on teacher professional development. Educational experts emphasise that meaningful improvement in classroom outcomes requires more than one-time training programmes—it demands ongoing support, practice, feedback, mentoring, and peer learning .
The NIPUN 2.0 Leadership Conclave, a three-day residential programme bringing together district education officers, FLN coordinators, and education leaders in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, exemplifies this commitment to strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy through continuous professional development .
Looking Ahead
As NCERT celebrates its 66th year, the council's focus remains firmly on transforming school education to meet the goals of NEP 2020. With new textbooks, multilingual resources, technology-enabled learning, and strengthened teacher development programmes, NCERT is working towards creating an inclusive, engaging, and effective education system for every child in India .
This news article is based on official announcements from the Ministry of Education and NCERT's 66th Foundation Day celebrations.
