For the first time, Goan folk dances and traditional folk dramas will be included in the Class X syllabus, as the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education introduces a revised social science textbook from the 2026-27 academic year.
New Textbook Highlights
The updated textbook, covering history and political science, dedicates chapters to Goa’s cultural heritage. Students will learn about folk dances such as fugdi, dhalo, dekhni, godemodni, mando, kunbi dance, and goff, along with lesser-known forms like morulo and mussol khel. Traditional folk dramas including ranmale, khell tiatr, zagor, perni zagor, gawda zagor, kaalo, and virbhadra have also been incorporated for the first time.
Goa Board chairman Bhagirath Shetye stated, “The inclusion of Goa’s rich and unique history will help students connect with local heritage. This new textbook aligns with NEP 2020 and aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of major developments that have shaped the world, our nation, and the state of Goa.”
Modern Political History Focus
The Class X volume builds on the revised Class IX history book introduced in 2023-24, which covered Goa’s prehistoric, ancient, and medieval past, including a chapter on the Cuncolim revolt. The new textbook focuses on Goa’s modern political and freedom struggle history, featuring chapters on the Rane revolts (1852-1912), the emergence of political organisations from 1928, Goa Revolution Day, activities of the Azad Gomantak Dal, the satyagrahas of 1954 and 1955, Operation Vijay, and the formation of Goa’s first government under Dayanand Bandodkar.
Key figures associated with Goa’s liberation movement, such as T B Cunha, Juliao Menezes, Ram Manohar Lohia, Purushottam Kakodkar, Libia Lobo Sardesai, and Karnal Singh, are profiled, along with contributions of women freedom fighters.
Political Science Section
According to Shetye, the political science section emphasises the functioning of state institutions and local self-government, helping students understand democratic processes and prepare for competitive examinations. The textbook also examines Goa’s administrative evolution since Liberation, including developments after statehood.
In addition to regional history, the textbook includes chapters on major national events such as the 2016 and 2019 surgical strikes, the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, and Operation Sindoor in 2025.
