Nearly 50 years after the Emergency was declared in India, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included the subject in a Class 9 textbook for the first time, describing the 1975-77 period as one of the country’s major democratic challenges.
The reference appears in the newly developed Social Science textbook, Understanding Society: India and Beyond. The chapter examines both the strengths of Indian democracy and the issues that have tested democratic institutions over the years. An NCERT official confirmed that this is the first time the Emergency has been introduced in a Class 9 textbook.
Textbook says Emergency led to suspension of Fundamental Rights
According to the textbook, public discontent against the government headed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had intensified in the early 1970s because of unemployment, inflation and allegations of poor governance.
It states that a National Emergency was declared in June 1975 on the grounds of internal disturbance.
“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,” read the section.
“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.
Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement highlighted in new chapter
The textbook also discusses the movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan, described as a political leader, socialist thinker, and Lok Nayak, and his role in organising resistance to the Emergency. It notes that mass movements led by Narayan mobilised students and citizens, particularly in Bihar and Gujarat.
The book records that the Emergency was lifted in 1977 and general elections followed. It presents the defeat of the ruling government at the polls as evidence of the resilience of Indian democracy.
“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,” the book reads.
Democracy chapter also covers misinformation, poverty and gender inequality
The Emergency has been included alongside other challenges facing democratic systems.
The chapter identifies fake news, misinformation, destruction of public property, violation of public rules, poverty, regionalism, social discrimination and gender inequality as issues that affect democratic functioning.
A new section called ‘Democracy and You’ has been introduced for the first time, aimed at helping students connect what they learn in the classroom with their responsibilities as citizens.
Focus on media, elections and grassroots democracy
The textbook also covers India’s democratic traditions across history, the role of the media, described as the “fourth pillar of democracy”, and the scale of electoral participation.
The book also puts numbers to the exercise of democracy. In 2024, over 96.8 crore Indians were registered to vote. The textbook covers the polling infrastructure that makes that scale possible.
Two case studies bring the chapter closer to ground level – a panchayat in Gujarat and a women-friendly panchayat in Tripura. Women’s voting rights and reservations in local bodies get a section of their own.