CBSE ADVISORY NOTE RELEASED ABOUT NEW TEXT BOOKS
NCERT New Textbooks 2026–27:
What Every Student, Teacher & Parent Must Know
NCERT releases official advisory on NCF-SE 2023 aligned textbooks — Grade 9 gets new books this session, while Classes 10 & 11 continue with existing ones through 2026–27.
Official Advisory Notice
This article is based on the official NCERT Advisory bearing F.No.Secy/1-1/2026, dated 17th March 2026, signed by Himanshu Gupta, IAS, Secretary, NCERT, New Delhi. This notice applies to all CBSE-affiliated schools across India.
Background: Why is NCERT Changing Textbooks?
India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 called for a fundamental transformation in school education — moving away from rote learning towards competency-based, experiential learning. To put this vision into practice, the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 was developed as the official blueprint for what and how students should learn.
As a direct follow-up to NEP 2020, NCERT has been systematically developing new textbooks aligned with NCF-SE 2023 recommendations across all stages and subject areas. The March 2026 advisory provides a clear, phased roadmap for when these new books will be introduced at each grade level.
NCERT has undertaken the development of new textbooks across stages and subject areas in alignment with the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.
— NCERT Official Advisory, 17 March 2026The Phased Rollout: At a Glance
The new NCERT textbooks are not being introduced all at once. Here is a clear timeline of when each grade level will see new, NCF-SE 2023-aligned books:
Classes 1 to 8 — New Books Available Now
New NCERT textbooks for Grades 1 to 8 have been fully developed and are already available in both print and digital formats. Schools using these classes have been on the new NCF-SE 2023 aligned curriculum.
Class 9 — New Books Coming This Session
New textbooks for Grade 9 are under development and will be available for use from academic session 2026–27 onwards. Draft syllabi are already available on the NCERT website for teacher reference and public feedback.
Classes 10 & 11 — New Books in Next Session
New textbooks for Grades 10 and 11 will be introduced from 2027–28 onwards. For the entire 2026–27 academic year, the existing NCERT textbooks for these classes remain in use across all subject areas.
Complete Summary Table
Here is a quick-reference table covering all classes, their textbook status, and the applicable academic session:
| Class / Grade | Textbook Status | Academic Session | Action for Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classes 1–8 | ✔ New Books Ready | Already in use | Continue with new NCERT books |
| Class 9 | 🟡 New Books Incoming | From 2026–27 | Adopt new NCF-SE 2023 aligned books |
| Class 10 | 🔴 Existing Books Continue | Throughout 2026–27 | Continue with current NCERT books |
| Class 11 | 🔴 Existing Books Continue | Throughout 2026–27 | Continue with current NCERT books |
| Classes 10 & 11 | 🔵 New Books Planned | From 2027–28 | Prepare for transition next year |
What Does This Mean for Class 9 Students & Teachers?
For Grade 9, this is a significant change. The new textbooks will be fundamentally different in approach — moving from content-heavy chapters to competency-based learning, emphasising understanding, application, and critical thinking over memorisation.
The advisory specifically states that draft syllabi for Grade 9, based on NCF-SE 2023 recommendations, have been made available on the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in) for reference and feedback. Teachers are encouraged to review these drafts before the session begins.
📌 Important Advisory for Teachers
NCERT has specifically advised teachers to ensure that the prerequisite learning of students is adequately addressed before initiating the new syllabus and textbooks. This means teachers should assess and bridge any learning gaps from previous classes before diving into the new Grade 9 curriculum, especially given COVID-era disruptions and the transition from older content frameworks.
✦ Key Takeaways for 2026–27
- New NCF-SE 2023 aligned NCERT books are part of the NEP 2020 implementation process — not a sudden change, but a planned transition.
- Class 9 students enrolling in 2026–27 will study from completely new NCERT textbooks for the first time.
- Class 10 students and teachers: No change in books this year. All existing NCERT textbooks like First Flight, Footprints Without Feet, etc. remain valid.
- Class 11 students: Similarly, no change in 2026–27. New books arrive from 2027–28.
- Grade 9 draft syllabi are publicly available for feedback — teachers should review them now to prepare.
- Schools should plan for smooth transition by addressing prerequisite learning before introducing new books.
What About Class 10 Board Exams?
This is a key concern for students and parents. Since the existing NCERT textbooks for Class 10 continue through 2026–27, the CBSE Board Examination pattern and syllabus for Class 10 in 2027 will remain based on the current textbooks. Students preparing for their Class 10 boards need not worry about any sudden curriculum changes.
New Class 10 books will only be introduced from 2027–28, and CBSE will accordingly revise the board exam pattern for the batch affected by those new textbooks.
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