CBSE to revamp legal studies curriculum, document India’s mathematical heritage

India’s school legal studies curriculum for senior secondary students is set for a major overhaul, with the Central Board of Secondary Education approving changes to reflect the country’s recent criminal law reforms.

The decision was taken during the CBSE governing body meeting in June, according to minutes released last week.

The revised curriculum for Classes 11 and 12 will incorporate key provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), which came into force in 2023–24.

These legislations replaced the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, marking one of the most significant legal transitions in India’s history.

“The Legal Studies textbooks for Classes XI and XII were introduced over five years ago to build foundational legal literacy among senior secondary students. Since then, India’s legal landscape has seen significant reforms,” a senior CBSE official said.

The updated syllabus will not only explain the new laws but also feature landmark judgments, recent legal doctrines, and the removal of outdated provisions such as sedition, Section 377, and triple talaq.

The aim is to give students a practical and contemporary understanding of India’s legal framework, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020’s emphasis on real-world relevance in education.

According to the minutes, the revision process will be guided by an expert committee, with a content development agency likely to be engaged for drafting the material.

The new textbooks are expected to be introduced in the 2026–27 academic session, giving schools time to adapt to the changes.

“Accordingly, the Board has proposed a revision of the textbooks to include key provisions of the BNS, BNSS, and BSA; landmark judgments and recent legal doctrines; and the removal of repealed or outdated laws such as sedition, Section 377, and triple talaq,” the official said.

The move is seen as part of a broader push to modernize legal education at the school level, ensuring that students graduate with awareness of the country’s current justice system rather than outdated statutes.

In addition, the Board will prepare a detailed 150–175-page monograph titled “Bharatiya Ganit Parampara: India’s Contributions to Mathematics,” chronicling the nation’s mathematical heritage from ancient to modern times.

It will highlight innovations, prominent figures, key texts such as the Sulba Sutras, Aryabhatiya, Brahmasphutasiddhanta, and Lilavati, and applications of Indian mathematics in astronomy and architecture.

The publication will feature translated Sanskrit verses with references for authenticity and will be developed through an academic partner, with both digital and print versions made available for schools, teachers, and students.