Union Minister for Education, Shri Pralhad Joshi today noted that NCERT has played an important role in the Indian education system for more than six decades, particularly through its textbooks, learning materials, and curriculum frameworks. The Minister was speaking at the 66th Foundation Day celebrations of NCERT at its headquarters in New Delhi

The Union Minister said that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provided a framework for reforms in school education, with emphasis on holistic development, creativity, critical thinking, experiential learning and competency-based education. In this context, he highlighted NCERT’s work on the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) 2022, the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, and the development of new textbooks for Grades 1 to 9. Appreciating NCERT’s efforts towards multilingual education, the Minister informed that textbooks for Grades 1 to 8 were being prepared in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, along with 121 primers in different Indian languages, including 93 tribal languages. He added that the new textbooks were making learning more engaging and relevant while remaining rooted in India’s heritage, with Indian Knowledge Systems integrated across the textbooks.

Shri Joshi also emphasised the need for NCERT to continue strengthening its research ecosystem and use of technology, particularly in view of the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in education and society. He noted the importance of equipping learners with digital literacy, AI awareness, critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation skills, while also giving due attention to the mental well-being of students through appropriate curricular interventions, psychosocial support and teacher training.

Highlighting the launch of the Robotics Learning Centre, Translation Lab, and the upgraded Television Studio, he said that these facilities would support technology-enabled learning, education in Indian languages, and the development of educational content. He added that the next phase of NCERT’s development should build on its existing institutional experience while responding to emerging educational needs.

In addition to the Robotics and the Translation Labs and the upgraded TV studio, the Union Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed Gate No. 2 complex and a theme park. The occasion also featured the release of the Coffee Table Book, titled, Flora and Fauna at NCERT.

Shri Joshi also visited the exhibition organised as part of the celebrations showcasing NCERT’s initiatives across various domains, including curriculum framework development, Jaadui Pitara, and digital education platforms such as PM eVIDYA, DIKSHA and eJaadui Pitara.

Chairman, Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, Dr. Chamu Krishna Shastry; Director, NCERT, Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, and senior officials of the Ministry of Education and NCERT were present on the occasion.

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RRTN

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