IIT Madras director, ICHR chairman in NCERT syllabus panel| India News
New Delhi, April 8, 2026 – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras director, V Kamakoti, along with R Venkata Rao, the former vice-chancellor of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru, and Raghuvendra Tanwar, the chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), have been appointed to the 20-member National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC). This committee is responsible for developing the national syllabus and teacher learning materials under the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
Background of the NSTC
The NSTC was initially constituted in July 2023 with 19 members, tasked with creating a school syllabus and new textbooks in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. Following a Supreme Court order on March 11 regarding a controversial section on “corruption in the judiciary” in a now-withdrawn Class 8 social science textbook, the NCERT restructured the NSTC, issuing a notification on April 2, 2026.
Composition of the Reconstituted NSTC
The reconstituted NSTC now includes several notable members:
- V Kamakoti – Director of IIT Madras
- R Venkata Rao – Former Vice-Chancellor of NLSIU Bengaluru
- Raghuvendra Tanwar – Chairman of ICHR
- Amarendra Prasad Behera – Joint Director-in-Charge, Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT
The committee retains M C Pant, the former Chancellor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), as chairperson, and Manjul Bhargava, a mathematics professor at Princeton University, as co-chairperson. Fourteen members from the previous panel have also been retained, including:
- Sudha Murty – Chairperson of Infosys Foundation
- Shankar Mahadevan – Renowned singer
- Sanjeev Sanyal – Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister
- U. Vimal Kumar – Former national badminton coach
- Chamu Krishna Shastry – Chairman of the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti
- Gajanan Londhe – Head of the NSTC’s program office
Changes in the Committee Structure
The reconstitution of the NSTC marks a significant shift in its operational framework. The previous committee included members such as Prof. Michel Danino, Bibek Debroy, and MD Srinivas, who are no longer part of the new panel. The revised Terms of Reference (ToR) for the NSTC have introduced several changes:
- The role of NCERT has shifted from merely executing the syllabus to having formal approval authority over the materials developed by the NSTC.
- The new ToR allows for the development of textbooks and other teaching materials by Textbook Development Teams (TDTs), which are to be formed in consultation with the NCERT Director.
- Greater oversight by NCERT in decision-making processes has been established, requiring consultation for expert engagement and the formation of curricular area groups (CAGs).
Implications of the Changes
The restructuring of the NSTC and the changes in its operational guidelines suggest a move towards greater centralization in the development of educational materials. This shift may have significant implications for the content and direction of the national syllabus:
- Increased oversight by NCERT may lead to a more standardized approach to educational content across the country.
- The inclusion of “emerging subjects” in the syllabus indicates a responsiveness to contemporary educational needs and societal changes.
- The formal approval authority granted to NCERT could streamline the process of syllabus development, potentially reducing delays in the publication and distribution of educational materials.
Conclusion
The reconstitution of the NSTC, with its new members and revised Terms of Reference, marks a significant development in India’s educational landscape. As the committee embarks on its task of shaping the national syllabus and teaching materials, the involvement of prominent educators and researchers is expected to enhance the quality and relevance of education in the country.
Note: This article is based on the latest available information as of April 2026 and aims to provide an overview of the developments regarding the NCERT syllabus panel.
