The revised NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook places India's historical traditions of governance alongside its modern constitutional institutions, drawing references from the Ramayana's idea of ‘Ram Rajya’, the concept of Rajdharma, the Upanishads and the Sengol associated with the Chola tradition.
The book, Understanding Society: India and Beyond – Part 2, was released on September 29 as part of the ongoing revision of Class 9 textbooks under the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. NCERT's Grade 9 syllabus includes history, geography, political science and economics, with the revised curriculum designed around competency-based and experiential learning.
One of its chapters, ‘Governance and Public Policy’, examines the evolution of governance in India and discusses how modern institutions have been shaped by both the colonial experience and older Indian traditions.
NCERT Class 9 book on Indian governance: What does it say?
The textbook says India retained knowledge of its pre-colonial institutions and governance traditions through texts and practices, despite its experience of colonial rule.
“India is not an exception to the historical legacy of colonialism. However, India stands out in two important ways. Firstly, unlike many societies that experienced colonial rule, India has preserved most of its knowledge of its pre-colonial institutions and traditions of governance through texts and practices,” the chapter says.
It adds that India's leaders after Independence framed the Constitution in the spirit of the country's own values and ideals.
Ram Rajya in NCERT book: Gandhi's vision of good governance
The chapter refers to Mahatma Gandhi's idea of Ram Rajya while discussing India's traditional understanding of good governance.
According to the textbook, the concept is associated with values including probity, transparency, compassion, welfare and a people-centric approach to governance.
“Ram Rajya is rooted in the principles of probity, transparency, compassion, welfare, and people-centric orientation in governance and public policy,” the book says.
It also connects Gandhi's interpretation of Ram Rajya with the broader cultural imagination reflected in the Ramayana and Ramcharitmanas.
“Gandhi's views on Ram Rajya reflect the collective imagination of Indians, from their distant past to the present day, that Ram Rajya is one of the best examples of good governance and a good collective life, as enshrined in the Ramayana and the sixteenth-century text of Ramcharitmanas,” it states.
Rajdharma and Mahabharata: What students will learn
The textbook also draws on the Mahabharata and the Vedic tradition to explain the idea that governance involves responsibilities towards society and is not limited to the exercise of power.
“From the Vedic period to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Indian tradition has consistently viewed governance as a sacred responsibility rather than merely a means of exercising power,” the chapter says.
It adds: “Good governance was measured not only by the ruler's authority but by the peace, prosperity, justice, and well-being in society.”
The chapter uses these references while discussing the broader concept of Rajdharma, or the duties and responsibilities associated with righteous governance.
Satyameva Jayate and Supreme Court motto: NCERT's Upanishad reference
The revised book also links the mottos of modern Indian institutions to traditional texts.
It identifies ‘Satyameva Jayate’, India's national motto, with the Mundaka Upanishad. The Supreme Court's motto, ‘Yato Dharmas Tato Jayah’, is linked to the Mahabharata.
The textbook says these examples illustrate how traditional ideas have continued to influence Indian institutions after Independence.
“Since Independence, Indian institutions have continued to draw upon traditional ideas and values of governance and have adapted them to the needs of a modern democracy,” it says.
The chapter contrasts this with the British-era Order of the Star of India, whose motto was ‘Heaven's Light, Our Guide’, noting that independent India adopted ‘Satyameva Jayate’ from the Mundaka Upanishad.
The book explains the Supreme Court motto as follows: “The motto of the Supreme Court of India was chosen to be 'Yato Dharmastato Jayah'. This phrase is taken from the Mahabharata, and it means Where there is Dharma (righteous duty), there is victory.”
It adds that such changes are intended to reflect the values and ideals expected of public institutions.
Sengol in NCERT Class 9 book: Chola tradition and governance
Another section of the chapter discusses the Sengol, which was installed in the new Parliament building in 2023.
The textbook describes it as a “cultural marker of rulership and good governance” and links its tradition to the Chola period.
“The Sengol—a cultural marker of rulership and good governance was placed in India's newly inaugurated Parliament building in the year 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The tradition of using the Sengol as a mark of righteous governance began more than a thousand years ago during the reign of Chola dynasty,” the book says.
The chapter also refers to the Sengol's association with the transfer of power at Independence.
“To mark the occasion of India's Independence, at the stroke of midnight on 15 August 1947, the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, received the Sengol from the Adheenam Saints (an old Shaivite tradition) of Tamil Nadu,” it states.
NCERT Class 9 history chapter focuses on resistance and resilience
The governance chapter is part of a wider Part 2 textbook that also revises the way medieval Indian history is presented.
The history section titled ‘Resistance and Resilience (1000–1700 CE)’ focuses on resistance, alliances, regional kingdoms, cultural developments, the Bhakti tradition, forts and the expansion of the Indian economy and state. NCERT's published Grade 9 syllabus lists these as key themes for the chapter.
The new textbook discusses figures and events including Maharana Pratap, Lachit Borphukan's victory at Saraighat and Rani Abbakka Chowta's resistance to the Portuguese. Recent reporting on the textbook also notes its references to traditional accounts involving rulers and divine figures.
At the same time, the chapter includes references to cooperation between communities and discusses figures such as Sufi and Bhakti contributors. It describes the period as involving both conflict and cooperation.
NCERT Class 9 economics: Tax, insurance and entrepreneurship
The revised Social Science book also takes a more practical approach to economics.
Students are introduced to areas such as income-tax calculations, borrowing and investment risks, insurance and business planning. The textbook uses examples including Ayushman Bharat, Lijjat Papad and hotelier Mohan Singh Oberoi while discussing financial and entrepreneurial concepts.
Exercises also ask students to examine household budgets, explore tax-return filing and develop business plans. Paying taxes is presented in the context of civic responsibility.
New NCERT Class 9 book: Changes in syllabus and governance
The new Part 2 textbook is part of the wider transition to revised Class 9 learning material under NCF-SE 2023 and NEP 2020. NCERT's published syllabus includes six chapters spanning history, geography, political science and economics.
The introduction records changes to the earlier plan, including replacing ‘Authority’ with ‘Governance and Public Policy’, while ‘India and the World-I’ has been moved to Class X.
NCERT says these changes make the learning experience “more coherent, age-appropriate and connected”.
The revised book therefore combines historical narratives, constitutional and governance concepts, environmental themes and practical economic exercises as part of the new Class 9 Social Science curriculum.
Inputs from agencies
