NCERT Replaces 'Azad Pakistan' With 'POJK', Adds Chinese Aggression Reference In Class 12 Political Science Book

Ahead of the upcoming academic year, NCERT has made revisions to its Class 12 Political Science textbook syllabus.

NCERT Textbooks Revision: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made changes in the Class 12 political science textbooks. Ahead of the new academic year, NCERT has made changes to references like 'Azad Kashmir' and added 'Chinese aggression'. In the revised edition, students will also study the abrogation of Article 370. Previously, page 119 of the textbook mentioned: "India claims that this area is under illegal occupation. Pakistan describes this area as 'Azad Pakistan'." Now, the updated version states: "However, it is the Indian territory which is under illegal occupation by Pakistan, called Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)." According to NCERT, this modification aligns with the current stance of the Government of India regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

NCERT Class 12 Political Science Textbook: Key Revisions

1. 'Azad Kashmir' Replaced With 'Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir' (POJK)

In the updated Class 12 political science textbooks, the term 'Azad Kashmir' has been replaced with 'Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir' (POJK). The previous version on page 119 stated, "India claims that this area is under illegal occupation. Pakistan describes this area as 'Azad Pakistan'." The revised version now reflects, "However, it is the Indian territory under illegal occupation by Pakistan, called Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)." According to NCERT, this change was made to align with the latest position of the Government of India regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Inclusion Of Abrogation of Article 370

The updated textbooks now cover the abrogation of Article 370. Previously, Page 132 mentioned, "While most states have equal powers, there are special provisions for some states like J&K and the states in the North-East." The revised text states, "While most states have equal powers, there are special provisions for states like J&K and the states in the North-East. However, Article 370, which contained special provisions for J&K, was abrogated in August 2019."

3. Amendment Regarding Chinese Aggression

Chapter 2 of the book Contemporary World Politics has been amended to address Chinese aggression. Previously, page 25 mentioned, "However, military conflict over a border dispute between the two countries marred that hope." The sentence has been updated to, "However, Chinese aggression on the Indian border has marred that hope."

'Bharat', 'India' To Be Used Interchangeably In Textbooks: NCERT Chief

"Bharat" and "India" will be used interchangeably in NCERT textbooks, in line with the terminology prescribed by the country's Constitution, according to Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). These remarks are significant following a recommendation by a high-level panel to replace "India" with "Bharat" in school textbooks across all classes.

NCERT chief told PTI that both terms will be featured in the books, clarifying that the council holds no preference for either "Bharat" or "India".

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