The Government of Karnataka accepts NCERT textbooks from class I to X in all state board schools

NCERT textbooks for English and Mathematics from Class I to V have been introduced. NCERT textbooks in English and Hindi have been prescribed for classes VI and VII. | Photo credit: K. MURALIKUMAR

Karnataka has introduced National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) textbooks from Class I in all government government schools in the state to improve the quality of education from the primary level.

NCERT textbooks for English and Mathematics from Class I to V have been introduced. NCERT textbooks in English and Hindi have been prescribed for classes VI and VII. The textbooks are already used for science, mathematics and several other subjects for classes VIII to X.

Already used in high school

Speaking to The Hindu, Vikas Kishor Suralkar, commissioner of school education, said that while NCERT books were already being used in high schools for mathematics and science, they will now be introduced from Class I in all government schools with the syllabus, including government, aided and private schools across the state.

NCERT textbooks are used in all central curriculum schools and are more modern compared to state curriculum books. This is one of the reasons why students from CBSE and ICSE schools perform better in CET, NEET, JEE and other competitive exams. Besides, questions based on NCERT syllabus are asked in civil services, banking, railway and other recruitment exams. The new textbooks are also expected to help in bilingual classes to be started in 25,014 schools in 15 districts for students of classes I to V.

Teachers and management of private schools welcomed the government’s decision.

No more private books

“It is also mandatory for state board private schools to buy books from the Karnataka Text Book Society (KTBS). But the content in English, maths and science was not that effective. So we had private textbooks as well. Now that we have NCERT books, we don’t have to buy any private textbooks,” said a principal of a private school in Bengaluru.

However, government school teachers said they needed to be trained to teach these new textbooks.

“The Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) has given only eight days of training to some teachers to teach the new books. But compared to the state curriculum textbooks, the NCERT textbooks are different and that requires a high level of training. So the Education Department should provide more training,” said a government school teacher.

Mr. Suralkar said that the first stage of training has already ended for many teachers. “Steps have been taken to impart training to additional teachers by DSERT in phases,” he added.

Published – 14 Jul 2026 0:02 IST