NCERT names new Class 11, 12 Political Science panel with 4 RSS-linked members

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has reconstituted the 20-member panel tasked with developing new Political Science textbooks and teaching-learning material for Classes 11 and 12, with at least four members having links to the RSS or its affiliated organisations.

The previous Textbook Development Team, notified on June 5, 2025, has been replaced by a new panel notified by NCERT Director D P Saklani on August 14, 2026. The new team will finalise syllabi and develop textbooks in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.

Prof Sandeep Shastri, Vice President (Bangalore) at Nitte (Deemed to be University), has been appointed team leader. Dr Vanthangpui Khobung and Dr Subhash Singh have been named member-coordinators and will handle formal communication and convey NCERT's meeting and publication norms to the



team.

All 20 members will contribute to writing, illustrations, review, language editing and cross-topic linkages. Each member will be required to conduct a literature review before drafting content.

Draft chapters will first be circulated among the full panel and will then undergo periodic review by the Textbook Core Group before NCERT approves their publication and distribution.

The review process will also involve relevant NCERT committees, including the National Syllabus and Teaching-Learning Material Committee and the National Curriculum Framework Oversight Committee.

NCERT may bring in outside experts, teachers or illustrators for specific chapters, including those dealing with IKS-related content. Such special invitees will require approval from the NCERT Director.

The final textbooks will be published only after the review and approval process is completed.