NCERT Clarifies Preamble Not Removed from Class 9 Textbook
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has strongly denied reports that the Preamble to the Constitution was dropped from a Class 9 social science textbook. In a statement issued on June 27, 2026, the council termed the news "misleading" and "baseless." The clarification came after several media outlets claimed that the latest edition of the textbook omitted the Preamble, sparking concerns about the erosion of constitutional values in school education.
Official Statement and Context
According to an NCERT spokesperson, the Preamble has always been an integral part of the textbook and continues to be included in the current edition. The council emphasized that the report was based on a misinterpretation of the textbook's content. "The Preamble is present in the textbook. Any claims to the contrary are completely false and without any factual basis," the statement read. NCERT also urged media outlets to verify facts before publishing such stories.
Previous Changes and Controversies
This is not the first time NCERT has faced allegations of curriculum changes. In 2023, the council revised several textbooks as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation, leading to debates over the removal of certain topics, including the Preamble in some earlier versions. However, NCERT maintained that such changes were part of a rationalization exercise to reduce content load, not to diminish constitutional importance. The current controversy appears to stem from a misunderstanding of those earlier revisions.
Expert Reactions and Impact
Education experts have welcomed NCERT's clarification. Dr. Ramesh Sharma, a professor of education at Delhi University, said, "The Preamble is a foundational document of our democracy. Its inclusion in school textbooks is non-negotiable. It is good to see NCERT setting the record straight." Meanwhile, opposition politicians had earlier criticized the alleged omission, with some calling it an attack on the Constitution. The clarification is expected to calm the political storm.
Conclusion
NCERT has reiterated its commitment to constitutional values and urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information. The Class 9 social science textbook, as currently available, contains the Preamble in its entirety. Students and teachers can continue to use the textbook without concern.
