The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has added value-based chapters from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita to first language textbooks for Classes 9 to 12. These chapters are now part of the Gujarati, Hindi, English, and Urdu language textbooks used in schools across the state.

This is Gujarat’s larger plan to include traditional Indian knowledge in the education system. It is being done under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introduced by the central government.

According to officials, the new chapters have already been added directly to the Gujarati textbooks. Students in Hindi, English, and Urdu will receive special booklets with the same content.

"While the chapters for Classes 9-12 have been directly included in Gujarati textbooks, supplementary booklets have been prepared for Hindi, English, and Urdu," said an education department official.

In Hindi first language, different chapters from the Gita have been assigned for each class:

  • Class 9: Margdarshika Gita and Bhagavad Gita Aur Main

  • Class 10: Samarpan and Desh Bhakti Ki Sanjeevani

  • Class 11: Param Sukh Ke Sopan and Triveni

  • Class 12: Vaishvik Granth,  Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, and Bharatiya Shashwat Moolya Aur Gita

These chapters are meant to help students learn good values like honesty, discipline, and patriotism.

Along with the new chapters, schools have received updated exam plans and syllabus structures. Students will now face 3 to 4 mark questions based on these chapters in their exams.

"These materials, along with a revised exam blueprint and syllabus plan, have been distributed to schools. The new exam structure for Classes 9 to 12 will now include 3-4 mark questions based on this content," the official added.

More curriculum changes: Natural farming & AI

Besides the Gita chapters, the Gujarat Board has made other changes too. A chapter on natural farming has been added to the Class 12 economics book to teach students about eco-friendly farming methods.

Also, the computer studies syllabus from Classes 9 to 12 has been updated. New topics like artificial intelligence will be added to the textbooks for Classes 9 and 11 starting next academic year.