'Challenge To Democracy': NCERT Introduces Section On Emergency In Class 9 Textbook

Last Updated:June 25, 2026, 08:16 IST

NCERT's new Class 9 book adds a first ever section on the 1975-77 Emergency, framing it as a key test of Indian democracy and role of media.

Nearly 50 years after the Emergency was imposed in India, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included a section on the same in Class 9  textbook. According to the official statement, the chapter is inducted in Social Science books and is presented as ‘Challenge to Democracy’.

The topic features in “Understanding Society: India and Beyond", a newly developed textbook that examines the functioning, strengths and challenges of Indian democracy. An NCERT official confirmed that this is the first time a section on the Emergency has been introduced at the Class 9 level.

The inclusion comes as India recently marked five decades since the declaration of the Emergency in 1975. In the chapter on democracy, the textbook describes the Emergency as a critical test for democratic institutions and constitutional freedoms.

“One of the major challenges to democracy in India was recorded when an Emergency was imposed in 1975-77. In the early 1970s, public dissatisfaction with the government led by Indira Gandhi was growing. Rising unemployment, inflation, and allegations of misgovernance led to widespread protests," the section reads.

“In June 1975, a National Emergency was imposed by the government on the grounds of internal disturbance. During this period, a majority of Fundamental Rights were suspended, the press was censored, and numerous political leaders and activists were arrested. Democratic institutions came under severe strain, and citizens’ freedom was restricted," it added.

The textbook also highlights the role played by Jayaprakash Narayan in mobilising opposition to the Emergency.

“Mass movements led by Jayaprakash Narayan -a political leader and socialist thinker, popularly known as Lok Nayak-mobilised students and citizens, especially in Bihar and Gujarat. The Emergency was lifted in 1977, and general elections were held, allowing people to express their will through the ballot. The defeat of the ruling government demonstrated the strength of Indian democracy and highlighted the importance of Democracy," read the book.

The discussion on the Emergency is part of a broader chapter exploring the challenges confronting democratic systems. The textbook identifies concerns such as fake news, misinformation, poverty, regionalism, social discrimination, gender inequality, damage to public property and violations of civic norms as factors that can weaken democratic functioning.

A notable addition to the revised curriculum is a new segment titled “Democracy and You", aimed at helping students understand their responsibilities as citizens and encouraging participation in democratic processes.

Beyond the Emergency, the textbook places strong emphasis on India’s democratic heritage, tracing participatory traditions to earlier periods of history and linking them to contemporary governance structures.

The role of the media also receives dedicated attention. Describing it as the “fourth pillar of democracy", the textbook underscores the media’s responsibility in amplifying public concerns, promoting accountability and safeguarding democratic values.

To illustrate the scale of democratic participation in India, the book highlights that the country had more than 96.8 crore registered voters in 2024 and references the extensive network of polling stations that support elections across the country.

The chapter further draws on examples of grassroots governance, including a panchayat in Gujarat and a women-friendly panchayat in Tripura, to showcase citizen participation in decision-making. It also includes a separate discussion on women’s voting rights and reservations in local bodies, highlighting efforts to strengthen representation in democratic institutions.

(ANI Inputs)

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