NCERT Clarifies Stance on Class 9 Math Syllabus; States No Topics Removed

NCERT has clarified that no major mathematics topic has been removed from the syllabus. Certain subjects have been incorporated into different chapters to provide students with opportunities to understand and apply them.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued a clarification regarding questions raised about changes to the Class 9 mathematics syllabus and the draft textbook. The Council clarified that no major mathematics topic has been dropped from the syllabus. Instead, specific topics have been integrated into various chapters, allowing students to comprehend and utilize them across multiple contexts.

NCERT also clarified that the currently released syllabus is not final; it was issued as a draft to solicit suggestions from teachers, students, authors, and other educationists. The final syllabus is expected to be released by NCERT and CBSE in October, following a review of the received suggestions.

What NCERT Said Regarding ‘Lines and Angles’

Questions arose regarding the absence of a dedicated chapter on ‘Lines and Angles’ in the Class 9 mathematics draft. NCERT stated that this does not imply the removal of concepts related to the topic. According to the Council, essential concepts and applications concerning ‘Lines and Angles’ have been included in Class 9 Part 2 through chapters such as ‘Propositions and Their Converses’ and ‘Quadrilaterals’. Additionally, a chapter on ‘Lines and Angles’ already exists in the Class 6 mathematics textbook, Ganita Prakash.

Clarification Provided on the ‘Euclidean Geometry’ Chapter

Questions were also raised regarding the inclusion of ‘Euclidean Geometry’ in the draft syllabus. NCERT stated that concepts related to this section—such as polygons, circles, parallel lines, and intersecting lines—are included in various chapters of the Class 9 textbook. According to the Council, these topics will be taught in Chapters 5, 6, 9, 12, and 13. Following discussions with teachers and experts, the decision was made to explain these concepts across different chapters rather than having a separate, abstract chapter based on the traditional approach of theorems and proofs. NCERT believes this will help students understand and apply geometric concepts in various contexts, rather than simply memorizing theorems and proofs.

Why were algorithms added to Class 9 Mathematics?

The inclusion of algorithms in the draft syllabus was also a topic of discussion. NCERT linked this to the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence and computational thinking. According to the Council, it has become essential for students today to understand mathematical concepts such as algorithms, data structures, and running-time efficiency; the NEP 2020 also emphasizes computational thinking. NCERT noted that while a separate module on AI is being developed, it is also considered crucial to explain the underlying mathematical concepts of AI within the mathematics classroom. For this reason, a chapter on algorithms has been included in the Class 9 curriculum.

Syllabus not defined merely by the number of chapters

NCERT also stated that under the new education system, a subject should not be evaluated solely based on the number of chapters in its textbook. In accordance with NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023, the curriculum has been designed based on curricular goals and learning outcomes. Curricular goals outline the broader objectives of the subject. Competence refers to what a student is capable of achieving, whereas learning outcomes clarify the results to be attained during the course of study and assessment.