November 2024

Changes made to 12th History book

Incorporate findings from DNA studies

last year, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) revised its Class 12 history textbook to incorporate findings from DNA studies from skeletons at Rakhigarhi, one of the largest ancient city sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation, located in Hisar district of Haryana.

Added new information

The text added new information that says Harappan genetic continuity dates back to 10,000 BCE and persists in present-day South Asians, suggesting that the Harappans and early Vedic people may have been closely connected, rather than the Aryans being external migrants.

Aryans = Vedic people

The Aryans and Vedic people are interchangeably mentioned in historical texts. Print

January 2025

Aryan invasion theory deleted

NCERT has officially eliminated the topic of the Aryan Invasion from its history textbook.

Recent archaeological evidence indicates the emergence of Harappan culture from early farming communities around 7000 BCE. The urban phase (Mature Harappan) was a consequent result of the gradual transformation and internal development of the civilisation during early Harappan phase.

Harappans - indigenous people of this region

This indicates that Harappans are indigenous people of this region.

The DNA of the harappans has continued till today and a majority of the south Asian population appears to be their descendants. Due to the trade and cultural contacts of the harappans, with distant regions, there is a mixture of genes in small quantities.

No break in genetic history

The continuity without any break in genetic history as well as cultural history rules out large scale immigration of the so - called Aryans.

This research also indicated that people coming from bordering areas and distant regions were absorbed into Indian society.

At no stage, the genetic history of the Indians was either discontinued or broken. As the harappans started moving towards Iran and central asia, their genes also gradually spread in these regions.

Additions:

Rakhigarhi, located in Hisar district of Haryana, is the biggest harappan city , covering an area of 550 hectares.

It is likely that the harappans practiced some sort of democratic system.

May 2026

Book titled: "Exploring Society: India and Beyond (part II)"
Published by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
The revised edition has received a clearance from expert committee constituted by NCERT.
Final approval is expected later this week (May 2nd week)
The Academic session commenced on April 1st.

Withdrawn after Supreme Court intervention

Earlier in March 2026, withdrawn following a ban imposed by the Supreme court over content related to corruption in judiciary.
The apex court termed the portion of the chapter on the judiciary as "offending" and observed that the content had caused damage to the institution.

Apology by NCERT

The NCERT issued an unconditional apology. India Today