
NCERT Launches New Mathematics Textbook For Class 8. Here's What Makes It Special
Ganit Prakash offers an engaging and holistic approach to mathematics by incorporating puzzles, stories, and elements from India's mathematical heritage. It adopts a play-based and activity-driven learning model, encouraging students to explore, think critically, and connect mathematical concepts with real-life situations.
Designed to make mathematics easy and enjoyable, the textbook aims to build confidence through step-by-step reasoning. NCERT describes it as a resource not just for students, but also for teachers and parents, helping to create a joyful and meaningful learning environment.
NCERT has also released new textbooks for subjects including Science, Social Science, English, and Hindi, with a focus on experiential, inclusive, and heritage-based learning.
Science Textbook Integrates Ancient Wisdom With Modern Concepts
The new Science textbook moves beyond rote learning by highlighting India's scientific legacy alongside modern principles. It features historical references such as Acharya Kanad's atomic theory, Bhaskara II's astronomical water clocks, and early medical practices like variolation. Sections like "Ever Heard Of?" and "Our Scientific Heritage" aim to spark curiosity and connect students with centuries of Indian scientific thought.
Social Science Textbook Offers Inclusive, Diverse Perspectives
The revised Social Science textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond - Part 1, presents a more inclusive view of Indian history. It includes extensive coverage of regional powers, including:
A 22-page section on Maratha history, from Shivaji to the rise of the confederacy
Detailed accounts of Sikh governance under Guru Gobind Singh and Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Narratives of regional leaders like Rani Abbakka and Narasimhadeva I, with a focus on cultural contributions
The textbook also critically examines the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods. Unlike earlier editions, it offers more nuanced portrayals of emperors: Babur is described as a "brutal and ruthless conqueror," Akbar's reign is characterised by both "tolerance and brutality," and Aurangzeb's rule is noted for the destruction of temples and gurdwaras.
The aim is to help students understand the complexities of medieval Indian history through a candid and balanced lens.
English, Hindi, Art Textbooks Embrace Diversity, Inclusion
The new English textbooks, Santoor for Class 5 and Poorvi for Class 8, feature real-life achievers, women leaders, and cultural narratives. The Class 8 Art textbook Kriti and the Class 5 Hindi textbook Veena have been designed to promote creative expression and integrated language learning.
These textbooks aim to nurture critical thinking, cultural awareness, and a deeper sense of identity.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Law courses top choice for Patna University PG aspirants
Patna: Country's recent advancements in science and technology notwithstanding, the youths of Bihar, it seems, are more interested in pursuing a career in law. At least, the number of applications received for admission to the postgraduate courses of Patna University (PU) in the current academic session (2025-26) indicates so. According to the figures received from PU sources, the LLM and LLB courses have received the maximum number of applications this year. While a total of 2,640 candidates have applied for the admission to 300 seats in LLB course, 379 applications have been received for the admission to 20 seats in LLM. Both these courses are running in Patna Law College premises of PU. The Master of Education (MEd) course running at the PU's department of education seems to be the next most popular professional course as it has attracted altogether 424 candidates. There are only 50 seats in this course. Other popular subjects at the PG level are commerce, zoology, political science, history, computer applications, economics, English, chemistry, mathematics, geography and physics, said PU dean of students' welfare, Anil Kumar. As many as 383 candidates have applied for 200 seats in commerce and 314 applications have been received for 40 seats in M Sc zoology course. The number of applications received for the admission in other popular subjects includes 278 each in political science and history (against 82 and 120 seats respectively), 230 in MCA against 45 seats, 197 each in economics and chemistry (against 140 and 64 seats respectively). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The number of applications received for the admission in other subjects are 187 in English (70 seats), 170 in mathematics (60 seats), 129 each in physics and psychology ( 50 and 84 seats respectively), 128 in botany (32), 133 in geography (84) and 111 in sociology (100 seats). However, there is very little rush for admission in many other courses, especially of the humanities faculty. The number of applications received in many of these courses is much less than the number of sanctioned seats. For instance, only seven applications have been received against 18 seats in Persian and 10 applications each in Arabic and Bengali against 18 and 20 seats respectively. PU chemistry teacher and PU admission in charge Rajneesh Kumar said admission in all the conventional courses would be made on the basis of marks obtained by candidates in the last qualifying examination. The first merit list of candidates selected for admission is likely to be released on Sunday night or Monday morning and counselling and admission of students figuring in the list would be held in their respective departments from Monday to Wednesday, he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Prioritise Bharat's needs, PM Modi tells tech companies
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills India's next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, amid growing concerns over US tariffs.'While Indian tech companies have made a mark globally, developing software and products for the entire world, it is time to prioritise India's own needs,' the PM said, speaking in Bengaluru after inaugurating a new metro rail line in the must accelerate the development of new products, especially as software and apps are now being used across every domain, he address comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has slapped a 50% tariff on India, half of that for New Delhi's decision to continue imports of Russian PM also called for efforts to lead in emerging fields and strengthen the country's manufacturing sector. He urged Indian firms to build indigenous products that meet the 'zero defect, zero effect' standard, or non-defective in quality and with no negative impact on the the contribution of indigenous technology in protecting Indian borders, the PM said the success of Operation Sindoor was due to the power of also acknowledged Bengaluru's tech contribution to the said India's capability to destroy terrorist hideouts deep across the border had forced Pakistan, which came to defend the terrorists, to its knees within hours. 'The entire world has witnessed this new face of New India,' the PM added that India is investing in AI-powered threat detection to ensure that the digital revolution benefits every at the inauguration in the presence of industry leaders like Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy, cofounder S Gopalakrishnan, MP Sudha Murty, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Infosys CEO Salil Parekh, Modi said India is the fastest-growing major economy and is moving towards 'global AI leadership' with projects like the India AI Mission and the Semiconductor Mission. He said the country will soon have its own Made-in-India chip , with Bengaluru playing a key said India has become a global example of low-cost, high-tech space missions. 'The country is moving ahead in all areas of new technology, and the most important part of this progress is that it is helping the poor,' he noted that in the last 11 years, India's economy has risen from the 10th spot to the top five in the world and is on track to become one of the top three. Modi said under the BJP government, India is now among the top five exporters of mobile handsets. 'Before 2014, India's total exports were $468 billion; today that number is $824 billion."The PM said Indian cities must prepare for the future and stressed that in the 21st century, urban planning and urban infrastructure are critical needs for our cities. He said progress will come only when Indian cities are smart, fast, and efficient, with a focus on completing modern infrastructure also pointed out that a new campaign is gaining momentum with the Bangalore Metro introducing a new model for public infrastructure development in the country. He said companies like Infosys, Biocon and Delta Electronics have provided part-funding for several key metro stations, calling the effort 'innovative use of CSR'.PM Modi called for greater collaboration between the central and state governments, saying all were committed to serving the people and improving their lives. He added that over the past decade, the central government has consistently advanced reforms. He cited the Jan Vishwas Bill, which decriminalised several laws, and announced the upcoming Jan Vishwas 2.0. Modi urged state governments to also identify and remove outdated laws with unnecessary criminal also drew attention to the Aspirational Districts Programme and the Aspirational Block Programme, calling on states to similarly focus on areas that need targeted development.

Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
Isro to launch 6,500 kg US-made communication satellite from India
After marking a humble beginning in the Indian space programme with a tiny rocket supplied by the United States, ISRO would launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the US in the next couple of months, the chairman of the space agency, V Narayanan said on Sunday. Following the historic launch of NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission onboard a GSLV-F16 rocket on July 30, ISRO would be launching another satellite for the United States, he said at an event near Chennai. Narayanan, who is also the secretary of Department of Space, was presented with the honorary degree of Doctor of Science, by the Governor of Maharashtra C P Radhakrishnan, during the 21st Convocation of SRM Institute of Science and Technology at Kattankulathur near Chennai. In his acceptance speech, Narayanan recalled that the ISRO was set up in 1963 and the country was 6-7 years behind advanced countries then. In the same year, a tiny rocket was donated by the United States marking the beginnings of the Indian Space Programme. "It was on November 21, 1963," he said. In 1975, through satellite data given by the US, ISRO demonstrated 'mass communication' by keeping 2,400 television sets across 2,400 villages of 6 Indian states, he said. "From that (kind of humble beginnings), the 30th of July was a historical day for the Indian space programme. We have launched the NISAR satellite. The costliest satellite ever built in the world. The L Band SAR payload from the USA and S Band payload provided by ISRO. The satellite was placed in orbit precisely by Indian launcher (GSLV). And today, we are shoulder to shoulder with advanced countries," Narayanan remarked. He noted that the team from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) lauded their counterparts in ISRO for the precision launch of the GSLV-F16/NISAR Mission. "In another couple of months, a country which received a tiny rocket from the United States, is going to launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by America using our own launcher from Indian soil. What a significant growth it is," he noted. From a country which did not possess satellite technology 50 years back, ISRO has, to date, launched 433 satellites of 34 countries using its own launch vehicles, he said. Elucidating about the Indian space programme, he said, "Today, there are 55 applications where ISRO has been contributing for the welfare of the country. "It includes television broadcasting, telecommunication, weather forecasting, disaster warning and mitigation, navigation, ensuring food and water security.", he said. "Even during Operation Sindoor, we have ensured through our satellites, the safety and security of whatever possible of all the citizens of Bharat, we could contribute, we contributed," he remarked. Listing out some of the significant missions, he said with the Chandrayaan-1 mission, ISRO was able to identify water molecule on the surface of the moon, and through Chandrayaan-3 till date, no country has made soft landing on the south pole of the Moon. Referring to Russia's rocket mission of placing 34 satellites into orbit using a single launch vehicle, he said India broke that record by placing 104 satellites into the intended orbit using a single rocket. In 2017, ISRO scripted history by successfully launching 104 satellites, including India's weather observation Cartosat-2 Series, in a single mission onboard PSLV-C37 rocket. On the future launch missions planned by the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency, Narayanan said, currently there are 56 satellites orbiting the earth, serving the purpose of ISRO. The number of satellites would be increased '3xtimes' over the next 2-3 years. "We are going to have our own Gaganyaan programme (sending humans to space) and ISRO is also going to build its own space station by 2035. The Indian Space programme is really one of the outstanding programmes and by 2040 we will match all developed countries in terms of capability of all space programmes," he said. In his brief address, Radhakrishnan said, "Sincerity, hard work and patience are the true keys to success." "Challenges come to all, but it is overcoming them with determination that shapes your future," he said. Urging them to embrace lifelong learning, and to remain humble, he said, "With this spirit, the youth will lead India to become the world's foremost economic power by 2047." Ministry of Earth Sciences, Secretary, M Ravichandran was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science along with Narayanan. On the occasion, a total of 9,769 students -- 7,586 men and 2,183 women received their degrees. Additionally, 157 students who secured top ranks were honoured. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)