NCERT Changes 2024-25:  What Was Changed and Where to Find Updated Content for Classes 3 & 6?

Beginning April 1, 2024, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a revised syllabus and new textbooks for classes 3 and 6. These NCERT Changes align with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023. By 2024-25, the syllabus for other classes remains unchanged. However, for the academic year 2025-26, NCERT is introducing updated textbooks for Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8 as well.

In the 2024-25 transition, CBSE directed all affiliated schools to adopt the newly published NCERT textbooks for Classes 3 and 6, replacing the older editions published up to 2023. 

According to Joseph Emmanuel, Director (Academics), CBSE. This step was taken to ensure uniformity and consistency in delivering the updated curriculum across schools. To support this shift, NCERT changes have introduced a bridge course for Class 6 students and concise guidelines for Class 3. These are designed to help students adjust smoothly to the new pedagogy and subject matter.

Moreover, the Board has taken proactive steps to support teachers in navigating these changes. 

Capacity-building programs for school heads and teachers were rolled out in 2024 to familiarize them with the NEP-aligned teaching methodologies and curricular priorities. All necessary digital resources, including the new syllabus and textbooks, were disseminated online as soon as they were made available by NCERT. 

Source: India Today

In This Article, Let’s Look at What Was New in the NCERT Curriculum 2024-25

NCERT Changes for Class 3 

• As per the updated education structure by NEP, NCERT designates Grade 3 as the entry point to the Preparatory Stage. For instance, English textbooks that were earlier known as Marigold are now titled Poorvi. Additionally, all textbooks have been redesigned with a stronger focus on competency-based learning and hands-on activities. Take the science textbook for Class 3, for example—rather than beginning with definitions and theoretical explanations, the new approach starts with a relatable story, followed by an engaging activity. Only after this are the formal definitions and concepts introduced, making learning more experiential and meaningful for students.
• Further, the NCERT Changes for Class 3 textbooks now include a wider range of subjects such as Arts, Physical Education, and “The World Around Us.” This scope of curriculum introduces young learners to a more diverse and enriched learning experience from an early stage. 
• The primary resource for Grade 3 is UPAAN – A Two-Week Foundation Programme accompanied by Guidelines for Grade 3 Teachers. This framework is designed to help children transition smoothly from the Foundational to the Preparatory Stage. 
• Building on earlier learning, students are now engaged in more collaborative learning environments while gradually developing independence in their learning journey. As the focus on self-directed learning has increased, there is a greater need for repetition and practice to reinforce and deepen skills. 
• During this transition, maintaining a learner-centric approach remained crucial—keeping the child’s interests, pace, and unique learning style at the core of every teaching practice.

NCERT Changes for Class 6

• In alignment with NEP 2020, vocational education has been introduced from Class 6 onwards, as per the NCERT changes for 2024-25. A key addition is the integration of historical connections—helping children understand how various concepts relate to India’s rich legacy. For example, the origin of fractions is linked to an Indian mathematician. There is also a special emphasis on highlighting the contributions of Indian scientists, making their stories more prominent in the curriculum. Moreover, the role of tribal communities and local contributions has been thoughtfully included. Overall, these changes aim to instill a sense of pride and deeper connection with our country’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
• As outlined in NCF-SE 2023, the vocational component is project-based and covers three key areas: working with life forms, materials, machines and human services. These changes are helping students develop core competencies, making them curious learners and helping them build essential life skills. 
• The primary resource for work skills is NCERT’s Kaushal Bodh activity book, which actively engages students in hands-on projects across three key categories: life forms, machines and materials, and human services. 
• For the “Work with Machines and Materials” strand, the module includes projects that involve maker skills or exploring tools and materials—encouraging creativity, hands-on learning, and design thinking. 
• As part of the “Work in Human Services” skill area, students are undertaking projects such as setting up a school museum, promoting community engagement and nurturing service-oriented skills.
• NCERT changes comprise new textbooks for Class 6, including a unified Social Science textbook named Exploring Society — India and Beyond. This book combines the previously separate history, geography, and civics subjects into one. Furthermore, the mathematics textbook has undergone revisions, incorporating additional chapters to fill gaps in topics such as decimal numbers.

The most interesting and important thing to understand is what these NCERT changes mean for both students and teachers. 

NCERT’s Kaushal Bodh activity book for Class 6 is designed directly for students to engage with independently, while UPAAN – A Two-Week Foundation Programme is developed for teachers to help them create meaningful learning experiences for students at the preparatory stage. This distinction reflects the developmental needs at different stages — by Grade 6, students are generally ready to explore and learn on their own, whereas in Grade 3, which is still a preparatory stage, students need close guidance from teachers. These changes clearly signal a shift — not just in what is taught, but also in how learning is delivered, with a strong focus on both learner autonomy and teacher support.

From 2025-26 academic session, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated all affiliated schools to implement the language instruction guidelines laid out in the National Curriculum Framework for School Education. A key aspect of this directive is the emphasis on using the mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction during the Foundational learning and early learning stages of education. In response, iPrep by iDream education has created FLN Material in Hindi, apart from English, in line with the NCF’s guidelines for FLN.

What were the key reasons behind the NCERT Changes in 2024?

Alignment with NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023:

After 18 years, the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) has been revised to align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This is the fifth revision of the NCF, following previous updates in 1975, 1988, 2000, and 2005. In response, the council has developed new textbooks based on the updated National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. The new resources reflect the NEP’s emphasis on experiential learning, holistic development, and the integration of vocational education.

Moving Beyond Rote Learning

A key objective of NCERT Changes 2024-25 was to move away from rote memorization and promote learning by doing approach through activity-based learning. By motivating students to connect with real-world situations, this new approach is improving comprehension and promoting the practical use of knowledge, moving beyond mere exam preparation.

Ensuring a Smooth Transition

To support students during the shift to the new curriculum, NCERT introduced a bridge program for Class 6 and provided specific guidelines for Class 3. These measures ensured a gradual and smooth adaptation to the new 5+3+3+4 structure. 

Streamlined Syllabus

NCERT has removed outdated topics, eliminated content duplication, and simplified the curriculum to reduce academic pressure on students. 

Improved Content Clarity and Accessibility

The content has been carefully refined in terms of language and presentation, making it clearer, more engaging, and easier for students to comprehend.

Emphasis on Indian Knowledge Systems

The NCERT changes especially for class 6 gives greater space to India’s rich knowledge traditions, promoting a deeper connection with the country’s heritage.

Towards the end of 2024, the NCERT replaced the National Achievement Survey (NAS) with PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 

PARAKH is a system-level assessment that evaluates the educational performance and student competencies in Grades 3, 6, and 9. Unlike previous assessments, PARAKH focuses on assessing the overall educational system in each district, rather than just individual student performance. This shift introduces competency-based questions, which assess a student’s ability to apply knowledge, rather than relying solely on memorization.

The NCERT changes for Classes 3 and 6 reflected a thoughtful effort to make learning more relevant, meaningful, and enjoyable. These updates are in line with the broader vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020—fostering holistic, inclusive, and future-ready education for every learner.

What have We Updated in Our Digital Content According to NCERT Changes 2024-25?

We’ve made significant updates to the digital content on iPrep, especially for Classes 3 and 6, in line with the  NCERT curriculum changes for the academic year 2024-25. If you’re interested to buy K-12 learning material or explore K-12 course materials, get in touch with our experts. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new:

Class 3 NCERT Updates on iPrep

We have fully aligned our Class 3 content with experiential and activity-based learning approaches, particularly in subjects like Mathematics and Environmental Studies. We design video lessons to begin with real-life, story-based applications of concepts, followed by a clear explanation of the theory—ensuring better understanding and deeper learning.

• Mathematics: The updated curriculum focuses on foundational concepts in arithmetic, geometry, and measurement. We’ve integrated activity-based learning to make abstract concepts more relatable. First, students explore the different angles of physical shapes like triangles and squares. Then, they connect these observations to a deeper theoretical understanding.
• Environmental Studies (EVS): This subject now encourages students to learn about their surroundings, family, community, and nature through real-world connections. The focus is on helping students experience and relate to the concepts, making learning more meaningful and context-driven.
• English and Hindi: NCERT Content in these language subjects now emphasizes reading, writing, and basic grammar, with a stronger focus on practical usage and communication skills. Activities are designed to enhance both comprehension and expression.

Class 6 NCERT Updates on iPrep

• Science: Based on the NCERT changes for 2024–25, we have made significant updates to how science content is presented to students. The animated video lessons on iPrep now bring to life the journeys, challenges, and contributions of scientists. By introducing concepts through engaging stories, students first connect with the people behind the science. This makes it easier for them to grasp the invention or discoveries. These real-life stories foster motivation and curiosity, helping students relate better to the subject. Rather than simply memorizing facts, students are now able to retain concepts more effectively through these engaging narratives.
• Mathematics: In line with the new curriculum, we’ve changed the mathematics content by incorporating India’s rich heritage in mathematical thought. This includes the groundbreaking contributions of ancient Indian mathematicians, such as the invention of the decimal place value system. The updated NCERT textbook also introduces students to mathematical ideas from ancient Indian civilization such as geometry, astronomy, and early number systems—offering a broader and more rooted understanding of mathematics.
• Number Play: Aligned with the NCERT changed, the “Number Play” section in Class 6 mathematics has received fresh content. One engaging new activity asks: “What are these numbers telling us?” It sets the scene with children standing in a line at a park, each calling out a number—encouraging students to observe patterns, think critically, and discover the logic behind the numbers in a playful and relatable way.

A major upgrade has also been made to practice questions across subjects – Both Class 3 and 6

Students will now engage with a wider variety of question types—including image-based questions, comprehension-based questions, multiple correct answers, and more. They are designed not only to test knowledge but also to build critical thinking and decision-making skills. This encourages students to reflect, analyze, and make informed choices.

Update: NCERT gearing up to release the new textbooks for Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8 in 2025

This marks yet another important step toward strengthening foundational learning and aligning classroom content with contemporary educational needs. We will be soon releasing content around NCERT changes for Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8. 

If you’re looking for an updated NCERT curriculum for Classes 3 and 6 in digital format, you may contact us at +91 7678265039 to schedule a demo. You can also share your details here or write to us [email protected]

---