10 newly released NCERT textbooks for classes 5 and 8: Check the full list here

The National Council of Educational Research and Training ( NCERT ) has released a new set of textbooks for Classes 5 and 8 , aligned with the National Education Policy ( NEP ) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. The new textbooks incorporate changes in content structure, learning outcomes, and pedagogical approaches, with a focus on conceptual understanding, real-world application, multilingual integration, and activity-based learning.

These textbooks are now available for purchase on NCERT’s official portal and through authorised sellers on Amazon India. Most titles are priced between ₹50 and ₹70. The set includes two Urdu textbooks, Sitar for Class 5 and Khayal for Class 8, introduced as part of the multilingual education initiative under NEP 2020.
What’s new in the curriculum approach?According to NCERT, the newly introduced textbooks follow key NEP 2020 guidelines, including experiential learning, skill-based education, and the inclusion of regional languages. Compared to older editions, the new books contain more illustrations, projects, and exercises. Subjects such as science and social science include application-based questions. Language textbooks feature poetry, prose, and grammar integrated with comprehension and creative writing tasks.
Complete list of new NCERT textbooks For Class 5:

• Veena (Hindi)
  
• Santoor (English)
  
• Sitar (Urdu)

For Class 8:

• Poorvi (English)
  
• Malhar (Hindi)
  
• Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Social Science)
  
• Curiosity (Science)
  
• Kriti (Art Education)
  
• Kaushal Bodh (Vocational Education)
  
• Khayal (Urdu)

Sitar and Khayal: Enriching Urdu educationTwo Urdu-language textbooks are part of the new release, Sitar for Class 5 and Khayal for Class 8.

• Sitar includes stories, poems, and basic grammar content designed for primary-level Urdu learners. The textbook also includes exercises and illustrations aimed at reinforcing foundational language skills.
  
• Khayal, intended for upper middle school students, covers a range of literary forms including ghazals, essays, and plays. The textbook contains reading comprehension questions, grammar sections, and writing tasks.

Both textbooks are designed to support language development among Urdu-speaking students and are part of the broader effort to implement multilingual education in accordance with NEP 2020.

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