The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a new Class 9 science textbook, set to be introduced from the 2026–27 academic session. The book, titled Exploration, integrates contemporary science with India’s traditional knowledge systems and highlights contributions of Indian scientists and institutions.
The 13-chapter textbook replaces the earlier book first published in 2006, which originally had 15 chapters and was later reduced to 12 after rationalisation in 2022. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, the new book focuses on inquiry, experimentation, data analysis and real-life application, marking a shift away from rote learning.
Core topics such as cells, tissues, motion, mixtures, force, work and energy, atoms and sound have been retained with revised framing. However, standalone chapters on gravitation and improvement in food resources have been removed.
The textbook adds a chapter on “Reproduction: How Life Continues”, covering plant and human reproduction, menstruation, hygiene and prevention of unwanted pregnancies. It also brings back chapters on diversity and classification of plants and animals, and Earth as a system, which were dropped during earlier rationalisation.
Students are introduced to Indian scientists such as C. V. Raman, Meghnad Saha and Homi Jehangir Bhabha. The book also includes references to traditional knowledge, such as the concept of speed in the Aryabhatiya (5th century CE), and real-life examples and activities to promote experiential learning.
