Pralhad Joshi asks NCERT to become innovative, inclusive, future-ready at 66th foundation day celebrations

At the 66th foundation day celebrations of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in New Delhi, Pralhad Joshi, union minister for education pointed out the importance of NCERT in India’s school education system.

Speaking at the event, Joshi said NCERT has been a pillar of school education for more than six decades through textbooks, learning resources and curriculum frameworks. He also discussed the changes being introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which focuses on creativity, critical thinking, holistic development, and experiential learning.

The Minister spoke about NCERT’s work on the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) 2022 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. He also mentioned about the development of new textbooks for classes 1 to 9.

Appreciating NCERT’s efforts to promote multilingual learning, Joshi said, “Textbooks for Grades 1 to 8 were being prepared in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, along with 121 primers in different Indian languages, including 93 tribal languages. He added that the new textbooks were making learning more engaging and relevant while remaining rooted in India’s heritage, with Indian Knowledge Systems integrated across the textbooks.”

Joshi stresses research, technology in education

The minister told NCERT to make its research work and adopt technology strong as education continues to change. He spoke about artificial intelligence (AI) and said students need digital literacy, AI awareness, critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation skills. He also stressed about support students’ mental well-being through suitable curriculum interventions, psychosocial support and teacher training

During the celebrations, Joshi inaugurated the Gate No. 2 complex and a theme park. He also inaugurated the Robotics and Translation Labs and an upgraded TV studio. A coffee table book, Flora and Fauna at NCERT, was released during the event.

Highlighting the launch of the Robotics Learning Centre, Translation Lab, and the upgraded Television Studio, Joshi said, “These facilities would support technology-enabled learning, education in Indian languages, and the development of educational content. He added that the next phase of NCERT’s development should build on its existing institutional experience while responding to emerging educational needs.”

Pralhad Joshi also visited the exhibition, which showed NCERT’s initiatives, like curriculum development, Jaadui Pitara and digital education platforms such as PM eVIDYA, DIKSHA and eJaadui Pitara.