The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has rolled out newly revised textbooks for Class 7, aiming to align with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The updated curriculum places a renewed emphasis on India’s rich cultural heritage, history, and traditions, aiming to foster a deeper connection between students and their roots.
The English textbook, now titled Poorvi, spotlights Indian narratives, featuring nine out of fifteen stories, poems, and essays centered on Indian themes. Iconic figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, APJ Abdul Kalam, and Ruskin Bond find a place alongside inspiring stories about Arunima Sinha, the National War Memorial, and Queen Rani Abbakka. This marks a significant shift from the previous book, Honeycomb, where only four out of seventeen pieces were authored by Indians.
In Social Science, the new integrated textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond blends history, geography, and civics into a cohesive learning experience. A notable addition is the chapter “How the Land Becomes Sacred,” which explores how rivers, forests, hills, and other landscapes attained sacred significance through religious beliefs and pilgrimage traditions.
The chapter introduces students to sacred places across major religions including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, while also touching upon traditions from Greece and New Zealand. Events like the Kumbh Mela, pilgrimages to the Char Dhams, Jyotirlingas, and Shakti Peethas are discussed, offering students insights into India’s ‘holy geography.’
Further, the textbook covers early Indian civilizations like the janapadas, major empires such as the Mauryas and Guptas, and the making of India’s Constitution.
These changes are part of NCERT’s larger plan to revamp textbooks for Classes 1 through 8, aiming to create a balanced educational approach that celebrates India’s heritage while fostering a global perspective.
