NCERT To Add Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Legacy To School Curriculum

Mumbai: The history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will soon be incorporated into the textbooks of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting held in New Delhi between Maharashtra’s School Education Minister, Dadaji Bhuse, and Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.

The Government of Maharashtra had formally requested the inclusion of Shivaji Maharaj’s contributions in the national curriculum to ensure that students across the country gain a more comprehensive understanding of his role in Indian history. This request was accepted, with Pradhan directing NCERT officials to proceed with the integration of this content into its textbooks.

Speaking to the press following the meeting, Bhuse stated, “It is a matter of immense pride that students nationwide will now learn about the valour, vision, and leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj through our national curriculum.”

However, the decision has sparked some concern among education experts. Prof. Furqan Qamar, former advisor to the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog), issued a cautionary note to the NCERT, stating, “As a national and autonomous body, NCERT must function independently and must not fall prey to political agendas.”

Another expert, familiar with curriculum development added, “Many changes are happening. We are trying to rewrite history, and it’s important to question whose version of history is being elevated and why.”

Notably, NCERT recently announced significant changes to its Class 7 Social Science textbooks for the 2025–26 academic year. As part of the revision, chapters covering the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire have been removed. In their place, new content has been added that highlights ancient Indian dynasties, important pilgrimage centres, and the country’s rich cultural heritage.

While the government insists that the inclusion of Shivaji Maharaj’s history enhances national awareness of regional heroes, critics argue that such moves must be undertaken with academic integrity and ideological neutrality.

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