NEW DELHI: The NCERT has triggered a debate by giving Hindi names in Roman script to several new English-medium textbooks, including the ones meant to teach English language.
This breaks a tradition of matching the book title with the language of instruction.
The English textbook for Class 6, which was earlier titled Honeysuckle, now carries the title Poorvi, a Hindi word which means “eastern”. Poorvi is also the name of a raga in Indian classical music.
Likewise, the textbooks for Classes 1 and 2 are now named Mridang, and those for Class 3 are titled Santoor. Both are names of Indian musical instruments.
These changes come at a time when states such as Tamil Nadu are strongly opposing the Centre’s three-language policy in schools, describing it as a way to push Hindi in the non-Hindi-speaking regions.
In the past, the NCERT had always given different titles for different languages.
The Class 6 maths textbook was called Mathematics in English, Ganit in Hindi, and Riyazi in Urdu. But now, both the English and Hindi versions are titled Ganita Prakash.
The foreword in the Class 6 English book, written by NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani, and an introduction by academic coordinator Kirti Kapur, do not cite the rationale behind choosing the Hindi title Poorvi.
The foreword only mentions that the book includes elements from Indian knowledge systems, cultural heritage, and teaches values such as gender equality, digital skills, and care for the environment.
However, many books have not been renamed this way. The new science book for Class 6 is called Curiosity in English. The Hindi and Urdu versions are named Jigyasa and Tajassus. Similarly, the social science book is titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond in English and Samaj Ka Adhyayan: Bharat aur Uske Aage in Hindi.
The change in titles of the book has drawn flak from several quarters.
Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty described the move as a serious irrationality and a cultural imposition that undermines India’s linguistic diversity.
He said the NCERT’s decision undermines federal principles and constitutional values.
Textbook titles are not merely labels; they shape students’ perceptions and imagination. Therefore, English-medium students should have English titles in their textbooks, he opined and called upon the NCERT to withdraw this decision.
The NCERT started bringing out new textbooks in 2023 under the National Education Policy 2020. Books for Classes I and II came out first, followed by Classes III and VI in 2024. New books for Classes IV, V, VII, and VIII are now being released.