The recent revisions to the Class 8 social science textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) have sparked discussions regarding the portrayal of historical figures in Indian history. The updates, implemented for the academic year 2025-26, see the omission of significant female figures such as Raziyya Sultan and Nur Jehan, while introducing new female icons and expanding on topics related to male rulers and the Maratha Empire.

Key Developments from the New NCERT Textbook:

• Omissions of Influential Women:

  • Raziyya Sultan: Previously featured in the old Class 7 textbook, Raziyya Sultan was noted as an able ruler between 1236 and 1240 and recognized for her historical significance as the daughter of Sultan Iltutmish. The new Class 8 textbook omits her entirely.
  • Nur Jehan: The wife of Emperor Jahangir was acknowledged in the older curriculum for her influence and co-regency. The new versions do not mention her role or contributions.

• Inclusion of New Historical Figures:

  • The textbook introduces Rani Durgavati, noted for heroically battling against Mughal expansion in the 16th century, and highlights Tarabai and Ahilyabai Holkar as significant female leaders during the Maratha period.
  • Begum Hazrat Mahal is referenced as a "heroine" of the 1857 uprising, emphasizing her resistance against colonial forces.

• Redefined Historical Narratives:

  • A substantial focus on the Maratha Empire has been established through a dedicated chapter, "The Rise of the Marathas", marking a shift in emphasis from the Mughals to the Marathas.
  • It details the three Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818) and discusses how the Marathas captured Delhi, demonstrating their pivotal role in resisting British colonial powers.

• Removal of Historical Content:

  • Notably, the historical figure of Tipu Sultan, referenced extensively in older texts for his defiance against the British East India Company, is excluded. His battles and contributions to resisting colonial influence are not covered in the current syllabus.
  • His predecessor, Haidar Ali, has also been omitted along with significant discussions of the Anglo-Mysore wars.

• Syllabus Overhaul and Educational Philosophy:

  • The new curriculum aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023, which stipulates a revamping of educational material to foster a more streamlined and updated approach to learning history.
  • The changes have been justified by NCERT officials as necessary for reducing syllabus size and adapting to modern educational frameworks.

Implications of Changes:

• These revisions and omissions might influence students' understanding of historical narratives, particularly regarding gender representation in history.
• The balance between educational practicality (space and syllabus reduction) and comprehensive historical representation is a critical point of discussion among educators and historians.

Conclusion:

The revisions to the NCERT Class 8 social science textbook reflect a significant shift in historical portrayal, emphasizing certain narratives while sidelining others. The inclusion of notable women from selected historical contexts demonstrates an attempt to diversify representation, although the omission of figures like Raziyya Sultan and Nur Jehan raises questions about the continuity and comprehensiveness of historical education provided to students.

Important Points:

• Raziyya Sultan and Nur Jehan excluded from new Class 8 syllabus.
• Introduction of female figures like Rani Durgavati, Tarabai, Ahilyabai Holkar, and Begum Hazrat Mahal.
• Significant focus on Maratha Empire with dedicated chapters.
• Exclusion of Tipu Sultan and Haidar Ali from historical content.
• Aligns with educational reforms from NEP 2020 and the NCF 2023.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has commended the successful return of Indian Air Force pilot and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who participated in the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Shukla made history by being the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), completing his nearly three-week mission before returning to Earth on July 15, 2025. Vijayan characterized this achievement as a significant milestone in India's space research and emphasized its inspirational role for the youth of the country.

Key Points:

• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan praised the success of the Axiom Mission 4.
• Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, was part of the Ax-4 crew and the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS.
• Shukla’s mission lasted nearly three weeks, culminating in his return to Earth on July 15, 2025.
• Vijayan stated that this achievement reflects India's spirit and the potential of its space ambitions.
• The Chief Minister expressed hopes that Shukla's success would inspire young minds across the nation.

This event marks a significant development for India in the field of space exploration and serves as a motivating factor for future generations interested in space science and technology.

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, is scheduled to confer the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 awards on July 17, 2025. Organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), this national ceremony will take place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal and MoS Sh. Tokhan Sahu present.

Key details of the event and the Swachh Survekshan initiative include:

• Awards Overview: A total of 78 prestigious awards will be presented across four categories, recognizing cities that contribute significantly to the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U).

• Categories:

  1. Super Swachh League Cities: Highlighting top performers in cleanliness.
  2. Top 3 Clean Cities: Awarded within five different population categories.
  3. Special Category: Includes Ganga Towns, Cantonment Boards, SafaiMitra Suraksha, and Mahakumbh.
  4. State Level Awards: Recognizing the most promising clean city from each State/Union Territory.

• Participation: Over 14 crore citizens participated in the assessment, showcasing significant public engagement through various platforms including face-to-face interactions, the Swachhata App, and social media.

• Assessment Approach: The assessment, conducted over 45 days, was performed by more than 3,000 assessors inspecting every ward across 4,500+ cities. It employed a structured evaluation system based on 10 well-defined parameters and 54 indicators, offering a detailed view of urban sanitation and waste management.

• History and Impact: Swachh Survekshan, now in its 9th edition, has evolved from assessing 73 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in 2016 to a comprehensive initiative encompassing thousands of urban centers across India.

• Special Focus on Inclusivity: This initiative aims to ensure inclusivity and transparency, assessing over 11 lakh households to capture diverse perspectives on urban living and sanitation.

• Super Swachh League (SSL): The introduction of this category promotes cities that have historically ranked in the top three over the past three years while remaining in the top 20% of their population categories this year.

• Population-Based Classification: Cities are classified based on size into five categories for tailored assessment:

  1. Very Small Cities: less than 20,000 population.
  2. Small Cities: 20,000 – 50,000 population.
  3. Medium Cities: 50,000 – 3 lakh population.
  4. Big Cities: 3 – 10 lakh population.
  5. Million-Plus Cities: over 10 lakh population.

This categorization allows even smaller cities to compete fairly, encouraging all jurisdictions to excel in cleanliness standards.

In summary, the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 represents a concerted effort towards urban cleanliness in India, promoting best practices, innovation, and public engagement in municipal sanitation management as part of the broader Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban initiative.

Important Points:

• Awards ceremony on July 17, 2025, by President Droupadi Murmu.
• Total of 78 awards across four categories recognizing urban cleanliness efforts.
• Participation from over 14 crore citizens, with assessments covering 4,500+ cities.
• Comprehensive evaluation using 10 parameters and 54 indicators.
• Special Super Swachh League introduced to motivate top-performing cities.
• Cities classified into five population-based categories for tailored assessments.