Center orders investigation into NCERT's decision to blacklist paper supplier

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has ordered an investigation and strict measures against officials after NCERT failed to appear in the Delhi High Court to defend its decision to blacklist a paper supplier.

Issues with selection and adherence to deadlines

The Ministry demanded that NCERT investigate how Bafna Global Venture Private Limited was selected despite alleged non-compliance with necessary conditions. It is also required to explain why the company subsequently failed to meet the paper supply schedule and why the council's case was not presented in court.

Court proceedings and judicial decision

The company's representative approached the high court on June 24, challenging NCERT's decision from June 22, which prohibited it from participating in the council's procurement processes for two years. Since the NCERT representative did not appear at the hearing, the court granted the company temporary protection from coercive measures until further orders. Furthermore, the court prohibited NCERT from using a bank guarantee exceeding 6 crore rupees provided by the supplier.

Minister's stance and accountability

A source reported that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan instructed that stringent action be taken against officials responsible for NCERT's inability to effectively defend its decision to block the paper supplier in the Delhi High Court. Officials found guilty of failing to initiate necessary legal steps will be identified and held accountable. Pradhan emphasized that the approach to administrative and legal shortcomings in procurement and textbook production is one of zero tolerance.

Reason for supply delay

The supplier told the court that the delay in paper production occurred because hydrogen peroxide, used as a bleaching agent, became unavailable due to a conflict related to Iran. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for July 20.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in New Delhi on Saturday refuted reports claiming that the Preamble had been removed from the new 9th-grade social science textbook, according to an information agency ANI citing sources.

Curriculum Changes

Sources within NCERT told ANI that the curriculum was revised in accordance with the new National Curriculum Framework, and topics were distributed across different grades instead of being covered in a single textbook.

According to sources, the Preamble continues to be present on the first pages of all new NCERT textbooks, including all social science textbooks. Furthermore, it is part of the 10th-grade program.

Constitutional Values and Changes

Sources also noted that constitutional values such as social character, justice, freedom, and socialism are already presented in grades 6 to 8, especially in the 7th-grade social science textbook, and will be examined in more detail in the 10th grade.

These statements came after the opposition sharply criticized the government regarding the alleged removal of mentions of 'secularism' and 'secularism' in the revised 9th-grade social science textbook by NCERT.

Among the most noticeable changes is the absence of the Preamble in the introductory chapter on the Constitution. References to 'secularism' and 'secularism,' which were present in previous editions, have also been excluded from the main text.

New Approach to Learning

Instead, NCERT has introduced a broader analysis of constitutional values, institutions, and governance, while restructuring the subject in line with the integrated learning approach prescribed by NEP 2020.

The updated textbook also includes for the first time a chapter on the Emergency of 1975–1977 in the 9th-grade textbook, expands lessons on the Indian electoral system and democratic institutions, and warns against counterfeit textbooks. The revised book, titled Understanding Society: India and Beyond, contains a special section on the Emergency, describing it as a serious challenge to Indian democracy.