
NCERT announced the release of its new Grade 9 Social Science textbook, titled Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Part 2. The book will be available for purchase from September 29, 2026, through NCERT Publication Division outlets, authorised vendors, the official NCERT website and Amazon.

The Indian Express reports the textbook is part of the curriculum transition under the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 and the National Education Policy 2020, emphasising competency-based learning and Indian Knowledge Systems. Times Now notes the press release does not detail individual chapters or topics covered.
Students, teachers, parents and scholars can buy the book through NCERT's authorised channels. The council has advised using official distribution channels and warned against unofficial PDFs online.
Times Now's coverage sticks to NCERT's announcement without policy context, while The Indian Express frames the textbook as part of the NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023 curriculum transition, emphasising competency-based learning and Indian Knowledge Systems. The Express alone notes the earlier pullout of a Class 8 textbook chapter on judicial corruption. Neither outlet details the actual content of the new textbook. Readers should watch for the release of the full syllabus and chapter listing, which the press release did not provide, and for any subsequent reports on specific topics included or excluded.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): timesnownews.com (neutral report), indianexpress.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.