The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has settled the debate over the usage of “Bharat” versus “India” in its textbooks by affirming that both terms will be used interchangeably. NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani emphasized the council’s adherence to the Indian Constitution, which recognizes both names and allows flexibility in their usage depending on context.
Saklani clarified NCERT’s stance, stating, “It is interchangeable… our position is what our Constitution says and we uphold that. We can use Bharat, we can use India, what is the problem? We are not in that debate. Wherever it suits we will use India, wherever it suits we will use Bharat.”
This decision by NCERT comes amidst discussions sparked by a high-level panel’s recommendation to replace “India” with “Bharat” across school textbooks. The committee proposed this change alongside suggestions to introduce “classical history” and integrate the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) into the curriculum for all subjects.
Committee chairperson C I Isaac supported the recommendation, highlighting the historical significance of the name “Bharat” rooted in ancient texts like the Vishnu Purana. Isaac underscored that “Bharat” has a longstanding cultural heritage dating back thousands of years.
The debate gained traction recently when G20 invitations referred to world leaders as representing “Bharat,” not “India.” This choice was echoed during the summit in New Delhi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nameplate displayed “Bharat” instead of “India.”
NCERT’s decision to use both “Bharat” and “India” interchangeably reflects a balanced approach aimed at respecting historical and constitutional contexts while ensuring clarity and relevance in educational materials.
