New Delhi: In a significant revision to the school curriculum, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a dedicated section on the Emergency (1975–77) in a Class 9 Social Science textbook for the first time. The move comes as India recently marked 50 years since the declaration of the Emergency and is aimed at helping students understand one of the most debated periods in the country’s democratic history.
The topic has been included in the newly developed Social Science textbook, Understanding Society: India and Beyond, under a chapter that examines the strengths and challenges of Indian democracy. According to NCERT officials, this is the first occasion on which the Emergency has been specifically discussed in a Class 9 textbook.
The chapter describes the Emergency as “one of the major challenges to democracy in India,” noting that a majority of fundamental rights were suspended during the period. It explains that growing public dissatisfaction with the government led by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the early 1970s, coupled with rising unemployment, inflation and allegations of misgovernance, resulted in widespread protests across the country.
The textbook states that a National Emergency was imposed in June 1975 on the grounds of internal disturbance. During this period, press censorship was enforced, numerous political leaders and activists were arrested, and citizens’ freedoms were significantly restricted. It further notes that democratic institutions came under severe strain as constitutional rights and civil liberties were curtailed.
A prominent feature of the chapter is its discussion of the role played by veteran socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly known as Lok Nayak. The textbook highlights how mass movements led by Narayan mobilised students and citizens, particularly in Bihar and Gujarat, against the prevailing political conditions. It also notes that the lifting of the Emergency in 1977 and the subsequent general elections demonstrated the resilience of Indian democracy, as voters were able to express their will through the ballot box, resulting in the defeat of the ruling government.
Beyond the Emergency, the revised textbook presents a broader discussion on the functioning of democracy and the challenges it faces. It identifies issues such as fake news, misinformation, poverty, regionalism, social discrimination, gender inequality, damage to public property and violations of public rules as ongoing concerns that can weaken democratic institutions and values.
NCERT has also introduced a new section titled “Democracy and You”, designed to encourage students to connect theoretical concepts with their responsibilities as citizens. The section aims to promote civic awareness and active participation in democratic processes from an early age.
The textbook places considerable emphasis on India’s democratic traditions and institutions, tracing democratic practices back to historical periods and linking them to modern governance. It also includes a dedicated discussion on the role of the media, describing it as the “fourth pillar of democracy” and highlighting its importance in raising public concerns, ensuring accountability and safeguarding democratic values.
To illustrate the scale of democratic participation in India, the book includes recent statistics showing that the country had more than 96.8 crore registered voters in 2024. It also highlights the extensive network of polling stations that enables electoral participation across the nation.
Additionally, the chapter features case studies of grassroots democracy, including examples from panchayats in Gujarat and Tripura, to demonstrate citizen involvement in governance. Special attention has been given to women’s participation in democracy through discussions on voting rights and reservations in local self-government institutions.
