The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has rolled out an entirely new set of Class 9 textbooks for the 2026-27 academic session, marking the most significant curriculum overhaul in over two decades. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF SE) 2023, the new books are ground up rewrites rather than minor revisions. The new textbooks include Kaveri for English, Ganga for Hindi, Ganita Manjari for Mathematics, Exploration for Science and Sharda for Sanskrit, available for free download on the official portal ncert nic in. The redesigned curriculum moves away from rote memorisation towards conceptual understanding, critical thinking, computational thinking, real world application and project based learning. Several topics earlier taught in Classes 10, 11 and 12 have been moved down to Class 9, reflecting a spiral progression approach. Each book carries integrated learning outcomes, indigenous knowledge systems, the Indian Knowledge System framework, and contemporary themes such as climate change, artificial intelligence, financial literacy and gender. The print and digital versions are being distributed by CBSE and state board affiliated schools from April 2026 onwards. NCERT has deferred new books for Class 10 and Class 11 to the 2027-28 academic session as per its 17 March 2026 advisory, with existing textbooks continuing for those grades in 2026-27.