NCERT adds 1975 Emergency chapter to class 9 textbook

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has, for the first time, included a detailed chapter on the 1975 Emergency in its Class 9 Social Science textbook, describing the period as a major challenge to India’s democratic framework.

The new textbook explains how the Emergency, imposed on June 25, 1975, led to the suspension of fundamental rights, restrictions on press freedom, and the arrest of political opponents. It highlights the impact of the 21-month period on democratic institutions and civil liberties.

According to the revised curriculum, the chapter aims to help students understand the importance of constitutional safeguards, democratic accountability, and citizens' rights. The textbook also discusses the political developments that led to the Emergency and its eventual withdrawal in 1977.

The inclusion is part of NCERT’s broader curriculum revision under the National Education Policy (NEP) framework. Education experts say the addition provides students with a deeper understanding of a significant chapter in India's political history.

The move comes amid renewed national discussions on the Emergency, with political leaders and historians continuing to debate its legacy and long-term impact on Indian democracy.