Who Decides Our School Syllabus NCERT Explained Simply

Who Decides Our School Syllabus NCERT Explained Simply

Last Updated Feb - 28 - 2026, 11:21 AM | Source : Fela News | Visitors : 4

Understanding how NCERT and education boards decide what Indian students actually study.

In India, many students often wonder who actually decides what we learn in school. Is it the teachers, the board, or some group of experts working quietly behind the scenes? Well, most textbooks and syllabus frameworks come from a national body called the National Council of Educational Research and Training, commonly known as NCERT. It was set up in 1961 as an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education to develop quality educational materials for schools across the country.

NCERT’s role is not just limited to printing textbooks for Classes 1 to 12. It also develops curriculum guidelines, learning outcomes, model question papers and various academic resources. These materials are widely used by the Central Board of Secondary Education and also influence many state boards. So in many ways, NCERT plays a very central role in shaping what students across India study every year.

But how is the syllabus actually decided? The process usually involves subject experts, teachers, researchers and academic committees. They discuss what topics are important for each grade level and what students should understand at a particular age. Draft textbooks are prepared, reviewed multiple times and then revised before final approval. It is meant to be a thoughtful and structured process, although sometimes debates arise about what should be included or removed.

Once NCERT releases its textbooks and curriculum framework, boards like CBSE decide how the syllabus will be implemented for exams. It is important to understand that NCERT and CBSE are different bodies. NCERT creates the academic content, while CBSE decides the examination structure and final syllabus pattern for its affiliated schools.

In recent years, NCERT has also tried updating content to match modern needs. For example, new initiatives have focused on introducing Artificial Intelligence related material for senior classes so students become familiar with emerging technologies early.

Even though discussions and disagreements happen time to time, NCERT remains the primary national institution guiding school education content in India. For millions of students, what appears in NCERT books often becomes the foundation of their academic journey.

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