NCERT Sets Up Expert Committee to Review Class 8 Textbook Map Showing Maratha Empire

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has formed a high level expert committee to review the map of the Maratha Empire featured in the new Class 8 social science textbook. This decision follows concerns raised over the map’s depiction of parts of Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, as being under Maratha control.

In a press release, NCERT stated that it regularly receives feedback and suggestions from stakeholders regarding its textbooks, and acts on such inputs to ensure accuracy and clarity. The council said the review process is part of its standard practice when “substantial academic or public input” is received.

The newly formed panel will include domain experts from reputed institutions along with relevant NCERT faculty. It will be convened by the Head of the Curriculum Department. According to the press release, the committee will assess the map in question based on available historical evidence and suggest necessary changes.

The formation of the panel comes after a debate over the historical accuracy of a map showing parts of western Rajasthan under Maratha influence. Chaitanya Raj Singh of Jaisalmer strongly objected to the depiction, calling it “factually baseless and historically misleading,” and claimed that no credible historical sources supported Maratha control over the region.

Michel Danino, Chairperson of NCERT’s curricular group for social science, responded earlier by clarifying that the map was based on available public-domain maps and expert input. He explained that the map includes both directly ruled regions and those that had tributary or political ties with the Marathas, acknowledging the complex nature of historical boundaries.

Danino also noted that the Class 7 textbook carries a disclaimer explaining the approximate nature of historical borders, which was mistakenly left out of the Class 8 version. He agreed that the omission may have led to misinterpretation.

This review is part of NCERT’s larger curriculum revision process under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy has led to the development of the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage and for School Education.

As part of this overhaul, NCERT has introduced new textbooks and learning materials. Officials underlined that the feedback review system supports academic integrity and ensures that content is supported by research.

“Evidence-based decisions are at the core of our process,” NCERT said, adding that the expert committee’s role goes beyond the single issue of the Maratha map. The panel will look into concerns raised across multiple textbooks and will submit a consolidated report for further action.