NCERT made textbook changes to reduce the study load after the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, material on evolution was removed from grade nine and ten science books, and the grade eleven–twelve chapter "Evolution and Heredity" was shortened to "Heredity" with a box on Charles Darwin erased.
An open appeal, signed by hundreds of leading scientists and science educators and released on 22 April, criticised NCERT for keeping changes that were meant to be temporary. The statement argued that principles of natural selection remain relevant today and help explain pandemics and extinctions.
Observers say the removals show how science education is handled. Some political leaders have publicly opposed Darwinism, but India’s main science academies rejected that view and warned against removing evolution from teaching.
Difficult words
- evolution — change in living things over time
- heredity — transfer of traits from parents
- erase — remove words or parts so they disappearerased
- appeal — public request for action or support
- criticise — say that something is wrong or badcriticised
- natural selection — process where some organisms survive and reproduce
- pandemic — a disease outbreak over a large areapandemics
- academy — organization of experts in scienceacademies
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think removing evolution from grades nine and ten is a good idea? Why or why not?
- What might be the effect on students if information about Charles Darwin is erased from textbooks?
- Should temporary changes made during the pandemic become permanent? Give reasons for your view.
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