NCERT Panel Recommends ‘Bharat’ Instead of ‘India’ in Textbooks

This is indeed a significant move, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) panel has recommended replacing the term ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in their upcoming set of textbooks. This proposal, which has garnered unanimous support within the panel, is part of a broader effort to revise and modify the content of NCERT educational materials. However, it’s essential to note that this recommendation is still pending final approval and has been forwarded to NCERT’s headquarters in Delhi for further review.

The proposal was originally introduced several months ago and has now gained the consensus of the committee members. It comes amidst a larger national debate about whether to formally rename the country ‘Bharat.’ This discussion gained prominence earlier this year when the Indian government sent G20 dinner invitations on behalf of President Droupadi Murmu, referring to the office as the “President of Bharat” rather than “President of India.” This subtle change in nomenclature triggered a political controversy. The proposal is rooted in Article 1(1) of the Indian Constitution, which defines the official name of the nation as “India, that is, Bharat, shall be a Union of States.” This constitutional reference highlights the coexistence of both ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’ as official names.

This renaming proposal follows a notable precedent. In September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official nameplate read ‘Bharat’ when he addressed the G20 Leaders Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan. This use of ‘Bharat’ received considerable attention on social media, with videos and photos widely shared as PM Modi delivered his inaugural address at the summit. In summary, while the NCERT panel’s proposal to replace ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in their textbooks has garnered unanimous support within the panel, it awaits final approval.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The India Today