NCERT Turns 66, Announces Mission-Mode Textbooks and AI Focus Ahead

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) marked its 66th Foundation Day with a renewed focus on modernising school education, strengthening research and preparing students for emerging technologies. Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said the organisation must become more innovative, inclusive, research-driven and future-ready to meet the changing needs of students. He also announced that revised textbooks for Classes 10 to 12 are being prepared in “mission mode”, marking the next phase of curriculum development under the new education framework.

Joshi said textbooks for Classes 1 to 9, aligned with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), have already been released, while work on the higher classes is now underway. He said NCERT has an important role in developing skilled, capable and globally responsible students through quality education. The minister also highlighted the organisation’s work under the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, which seek to reshape learning across different stages of school education.

Artificial intelligence emerged as a major focus of the Foundation Day programme, with Joshi saying NCERT must respond to the rapid changes brought by AI. He noted that artificial intelligence has increasingly become part of everyday life and that younger students are also using AI-based tools. According to him, textbooks and curricula should help students understand the technology and use it confidently and responsibly. He also stressed the need for greater awareness among parents so they can guide children in their use of technology while ensuring that student mental well-being remains a priority.

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The minister also called for NCERT to strengthen its research ecosystem and make more effective use of technology in education. Alongside AI and research, multilingual education was highlighted as another important area of the council’s work. Textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 are being prepared in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. NCERT is also developing 121 primers in Indian languages, including 93 tribal languages, as part of efforts to make learning more accessible and inclusive for students from different linguistic backgrounds.

Several new facilities were inaugurated during the Foundation Day celebrations as part of NCERT’s efforts to support changing classroom requirements. These included a Robotics Learning Centre, a Translation Lab and an upgraded television studio. A new Gate No. 2 complex and a theme park were also opened during the programme. The event featured the release of Flora and Fauna at NCERT, a coffee-table book, along with an exhibition highlighting initiatives such as Jaadui Pitara, PM eVIDYA, DIKSHA and eJaadui Pitara.

The developments outlined during the 66th Foundation Day reflect NCERT’s broader effort to align school education with technological, social and educational changes. Joshi said India’s young population represents an important asset for the country and the wider world, making quality education and future-ready learning increasingly important. With revised textbooks for Classes 10 to 12 under preparation and greater emphasis on AI, research, multilingual education and technology-enabled learning, NCERT is set to play a central role in shaping the next phase of school education.

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