The NCERT has updated the Class 12 Political Science textbook with some important changes. One big change is that they now refer to the “Babri Masjid” as a “three-domed structure” in the new edition of the book. They also made the chapter about Ayodhya shorter, reducing it from four pages to just two.
In an interview with India Today TV, NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani said these changes were not meant to support any particular belief. He explained that experts decided what updates were best for the curriculum, based on current information.
Regarding the removal of references to Babri Masjid and the Godhra riots, Saklani mentioned that the content now reflects the most recent developments and focuses on what’s most important today while avoiding unnecessary repetition.
NCERT Updates Class 12 Political Science Textbook
Recently, the NCERT made updates to the Class 12 Political Science textbook to include the Supreme Court’s 2019 decision on the Ayodhya Dispute. These changes are now reflected in the revised textbooks that you can find in stores.
One of the notable updates is that instead of calling the Babri Masjid by its name, it is now referred to as a ‘three-domed structure’. Additionally, the amount of information about the Ayodhya issue in the textbook has been reduced from four pages to two.
According to information on the NCERT’s website, these updates were made to reflect the latest political developments. The content related to the Ayodhya issue has been carefully reviewed and updated following the Supreme Court’s decision, which has been widely accepted and supported.
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NCERT Class 12 Political Science Textbook Key Changes
The NCERT textbooks have undergone significant revisions for the 2024-25 academic session. Here are the key updates:
1. Removal of Babri Masjid Reference
The term “Babri Masjid” has been replaced with “three-domed structure.”
2. Reduction of Ayodhya Chapter
The content on Ayodhya has been condensed from four pages to two. This includes shortening descriptions of Lord Rama’s Rath Yatra, the role of kar sevaks, violence following the demolition, and the imposition of President’s rule.
3. Revised Historical Descriptions
The previous description of the Babri Masjid as a 16th-century mosque built by Mir Baqi has been updated. It is now described as a structure built at Lord Ram’s birthplace in 1528, featuring Hindu paintings and statues.
4. Changes in Legal and Communal Narratives
The older edition detailed the 1986 Faizabad District Court’s decision to open the mosque for worship, which led to communal tensions and riots. The new edition summarizes these events, mentioning the opening of the three-domed structure and the ensuing legal and communal conflicts.
5. Inclusion of Supreme Court Decision
The new textbook includes the Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling that the disputed land belongs to the temple.
6. Removal of Visual Content
Newspaper clippings related to the removal of the Kalyan Singh government have been omitted.
7. Removal of Gujarat Riots Chapter
The chapter on Democratic Rights no longer includes references to the Gujarat riots.
This is the fourth revision of the NCERT book since 2014, aiming to align educational content with the latest political developments. The updated textbooks will be used starting in the 2024-25 academic year.
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NCERT Updates Class 12 Political Science Textbook FAQs
Q.1. Why did NCERT replace “Babri Masjid” with “three-domed structure”?
Ans. NCERT updated terminology to avoid controversy and reflect current understanding.
Q.2. What changes were made to the Ayodhya chapter?
Ans. It was shortened to two pages, focusing on key events and legal aspects.
Q.3. Why include the Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling in the textbook?
Ans. To provide students with the latest legal perspective on the Ayodhya dispute.
Q.4. Why were references to the Kalyan Singh government removed?
Ans. To streamline content and focus on core educational topics.
Q.5. What’s the significance of removing the Gujarat riots chapter?
Ans. It ensures the textbook remains relevant without delving into unrelated events.
