A Guide on NCERT's core features and fundamentals.
The National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) is an apex body in the education sector in India. This post explores NCERT and its functions in detail with an onus on helping out our students. Read on to know more.
Know All About NCERT
First, let’s have an overview of the core features and points that serve as the fundamental building blocks of the NCERT. This segment covers every such point that helps you get familiar with NCERT.
What is NCERT?
NCERT is a Government organization that strictly works on the idea of improving the quality and standard of school education in India. NCERT covers various authentic educational devices like textbooks, digital materials and educational kits.
Established in 1961, it has its headquarters in New Delhi. Many state boards in India and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) follow NCERT textbooks as part of their official course curriculum.
Subject matter experts recommend NCERT solutions regularly with a focus on factors like fast-track preparation for exams without compromising efficiency. The revision, focus, understanding and access in the NCERT study mode are meaningful and empowering to the students.
The primary functions of NCERT organization are as follows:
» To coordinate research factors in school education.
» To collaborate with various educational institutions and departments.
» Organize and assist in the training of teachers.
» To support interaction with international educational organizations.
» To develop, prepare and publish study materials in various formats.
» To offer miscellaneous innovative practices for developing and spreading education.
NCERT Official Website
The official website of the NCERT is ncert.nic.in. You can find all the relevant details regarding the administration, programs and functions on the same channel.
NCERT Syllabus
NCERT divides their course syllabus mainly into three categories – elementary level, secondary and higher secondary levels and pupil teachers. Let’s see them in detail below:
Syllabus for Elementary Level
For the elementary level, from classes 1-8, the syllabus covers core subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Environmental Studies and language subjects like Hindi, Urdu and Sanskrit.
Syllabus for Secondary and Higher Secondary Level
For secondary and higher secondary levels (classes 9 through 12), the course syllabus includes Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Social Science, History, Geography, Economics and the English language.
The other special courses covered in this curriculum are Business Studies, Accountancy, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science and other language subjects, including Hindi.
Syllabus for Pupil Teachers
The special case of pupil teachers under the NCERT syllabus includes portions for B.Ed, M.Ed and M.Phil. All syllabi are revised at regular intervals by the authority of the NCERT governing body.
NCERT Subjects
The most popular NCERT subjects in their books are:
» Mathematics
» Physics
» Chemistry
» Biology
» English language
» Hindi language
» Social Science
» Environmental Studies
Boards that Follow NCERT Books
No other board is more famous for adopting the NCERT course curriculum than the CBSE. Apart from this, NCERT books are part of the board syllabus of 23 states.
These include boards with copyright permission to incorporate the NCERT syllabus from class 1 onwards. They are Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi state boards.
NCERT E-book
NCERT E-books are online study materials that help students cover the syllabus for free. These include everything from books and subjects to model question papers and exemplar problems (for analytical thinking).
The E-book facility is specifically available for different states as well. Schools in Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, etc., follow this pattern.
Other non-printed material from NCERT includes the likes of multimedia packages, audio and video programmes, learning scripts, school kits, photographs and online courses.
Importance of NCERT Books for Competitive Exams
The optimum feature of NCERT study material is the simple and engaging content it offers to the student. Analytical thinking and an in-depth understanding of the subject are essentially part of the syllabus.
NCERT books find applications in helping candidates prepare for competitive exams like UPSC, IAS, different entrance exams and special qualification exams. This is with the help of a basic concept coverage mechanism that NCERT strictly adopts.
Are NCERT Books Reliable?
Yes. NCERT books are reliable materials that work as an effective support for your exam studies, training programmes and design thinking principles. Under the Indian education scheme, NCERT study materials (online and offline) are usually recommended and occupy a position in the development of learners and teachers alike.
Is NCERT Enough for Competitive Exams?
For competitive exams like NEET, UPSC and numerous entrance exams, NCERT is an ideal study material among experts. But relying on NCERT syllabi alone is a huge mistake as it might affect the candidate’s chances of cracking the exam.
For each corresponding competitive exam, you must follow a recommended syllabus and study material that works perfectly in sync with that exam. NCERT books should play a supporting backup role.
Let’s Conclude - Are NCERT Books Sufficient for Students?
NCERT books are sufficient for students while preparing for exams with boards that follow the NCERT syllabus. For other boards, students can use them but only as an addition to the major study materials that cover their syllabi.
NCERT is a proven entity with knowledge and expertise provision for students in different study areas. It will help students advance a lot in their career profiles.
