We have brought you summarized information on the National Curriculum Framework 2023, published by Govt of India, consisting of 628 pages, along with NCERT which consists of 360 pages. Nevertheless, this extensive material is carefully curated to bring you all the necessary and in-depth information that may be asked in various Central and State level Teaching Exams.
Did you know, Before NCF 2023, How many NCFs existed?
| National Curriculum Framework 2023: Parts | |
|---|---|
| Part-I | Approach (Stages, Content, Assessment, and Themes [Indian system/Inclusion]) |
| Part-II | School Subjects (Language Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Social Science Education, Art Education, Education in Interdisciplinary Areas, Physical Education and Well-being, Vocational Education) |
| Part-III | School Culture and Processes |
| Part-IV | Ecosystem (Teachers/Parents/Community) |
NCF 2023 Highlights
The National Curriculum Framework 2023 is a significant educational reform in India, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). Let’s try to understand it briefly through its key highlights:
The National Curriculum Framework 2023 has divided the subjects into groups for classes IX, X, XI, & XII and these groups have been divided into curricular areas, curricular areas have been divided into subjects and then subjects have been divided into courses. We will try to understand it through this table.
| Grade | Curriculum/Language policy/Board Exams | NCrF |
|---|---|---|
| Grade I | Concrete material, New Textbook | 1. Students are to be credited for their study hours spent per year. 2. All these credits are deposited in the student’s Digi locker. 3. Each year 800 hours of study and 30 hours in one credit point. |
| Grade II | Concrete material, Old Textbook | Same as Above |
| Grade III | Discovery-based | Same as Above |
| Grade IV | Concrete material, Old Textbook | Same as Above |
| Grade V | • Qualifying Examination. • No detention policy will not be applicable from 2024. • Discovery-based & Concrete material. • SAFAL Exam will test the competency level of Grade 5. | Same as Above |
| Grade VI | New textbook (Textbooks in PDF formats) | Same as Above |
| Grade VII | Old Textbook | Same as Above |
| Grade VIII | • Qualifying Examination. • SAFAL Exam will test the competency level of Grade 8. | Same as Above |
| Grade IX | • New Textbook. • 3 Languages. R1- Foreign language (English), R2 – Native Language (Hindi/Sanskrit), R3 – (Regional Language). • 10 subjects, 3 languages, 3 core subjects (Science, Maths, and Social Science), 4 skill subjects (IT/AI, Physical Education, Art Education, Environmental Education) • French or German can be taken as 11th subject. • A student has to pass in all 10 subjects (3 lang + 3 core + 4 skill sub) to be declared as pass. | Same as Above |
| Grade X | • Two board examinations (child can write the exam either in November/ December or February /March or if the child wants to take a few exams in November and the rest in March can do so). • No semester-wise exam, • syllabus to be covered by the end of October. | Same as Above |
| Grade XI | • 2 Languages & 4 Core Subjects. • 2 Languages include 1 foreign language (English) and 1 native language. • 4 core subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Maths, Accountancy etc. • French or German can be taken as 7th subject. | Same as Above |
| Grade XII | • Two board examinations (child can write the exam either in November/ December or February /March or if the child wants to take a few exams in November and the rest in March can do so). • No semester-wise exam, • syllabus to be covered by the end of October. | Same as Above |
- The most significant changes proposed under the National Curriculum Framework 2023 are about the choice of subjects and exams in classes IX-XII.
- In pedagogy 5 step learning process Panchaadi is for formulating the sequence that a teacher may adopt in planning for instruction, these are an introduction, conceptual, understanding, practice, application, and expansion.
- Students in classes 9th and 10th will have to study 16 courses categorized under eight curricular areas for over two years i.e. Humanities, Mathematics, Computing, Vocational Education, Arts, Social Science, Physical Education, Science, and Interdisciplinary areas.
- Grade I & II- concrete material, Grade III & V – discovery-based, Grade VI & VIII – Natural and Social science discussion-based.
- Board Examination X/XII: The students should be given opportunities to engage with higher-order capacities of analysis and synthesis through meaningful yet challenging assessments.
- The National Curriculum Framework 2023 (NCF 2023) has incorporated the ancient Indian epistemological sources of knowledge — reflecting a philosophical tradition that emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of the world.
| Pratyaksha (Perception) | Anumana (Inference) | Upamana (Comparison) |
| Arthapatti (Postulation) | Anupalabdhi (Non-apprehension) | Sabda (Verbal Testimony) |
- Moral development through Pancha kosha Vikas or five-fold development can be developed through a Balanced Diet, Traditional Games, Yoga, Stories, Songs, Poems, and Prayers. The layers are:
| Annamaya kosha (Physical Layer) | Pranamaya kosha (Life Force Energy Layer) | Manomaya kosha (Mind Layer) |
| Vijnanamaya kosha (Intellectual Layer) | Anandamaya kosha (Inner Self) |
- The burden of board examinations on students must be reduced by making them easier and lighter with significantly reduced content load and offering the same examination at least twice a year so that students can take the exam a second time and improve.
When Will NCF 2023 be Implemented
The National Curriculum Framework 2023 (NCF 2023) is guided by a 12-member National Steering Committee (NSC) led by Dr. K Kasturirangan, a former leader at ISRO.
However, National Curriculum Framework 2023 for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) was officially released on October 20, 2022, by the honorable Minister of Education Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan to implement it across India from 2023-24 academic year.
We all know that change is always happening. Reflecting on the past, it’s evident that numerous aspects of our lives have undergone significant transformations, from our dietary habits and attire to our thought processes. Similarly, our curriculum must align with the needs of today. That is why the National Curriculum Framework 2023 is essential.
Our younger generation must be in synch with time. Hence, a new change has been introduced in some of the old curriculum. However, before delving into the National Curriculum Framework 2023, It is important to understand the old curriculum.
So let us see what was there in the old curriculum.
National Curriculum Framework (NCF 2005)
- The National Curriculum Framework 2005 was the fourth National Curriculum Framework published in 2005 by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in India. Its predecessors were published in 1975,1988, and 2000.
- All National Steering Committees, chaired by Professor Yashpal, and 21 national focus groups were set up.
- The NCF 2005 emphasized a “Learning without burden” approach, aligning with the National Policy of Education 1986-1992. Learning without burden makes learning a joyful experience and moves away from textbooks to be a basis for examination and to remove stress from children.
- NCF 2005 gives importance to connecting knowledge to life outside the school and they Discard rote memorization and enrich the curriculum so that it goes beyond the textbook.
- To develop a child-centered approach, promote universal enrollment and retention up to the age of 14, Inculcate the feeling of Oneness democracy, and unity in the students.
- Subjects like Language, Mathematics, Computer science, Social science, Art education, Health, and Physical education, and the Study of Peace work and education have been included.
- Three language formula systems are to be followed: The first language should be the mother tongue and the regional language. The second language in Hindi-speaking states will be English and in Non Hindi-speaking states will be Hindi. The third language is any other modern Indian language.
- An inclusion policy has to be a part of a school where differently abled children from marginalized sections get equal opportunities.
National Curriculum Framework 2023
Recommendation of NCF 2005
The National Curriculum Framework 2005 (NCF 2005) introduced several recommendations and addressed certain challenges.
- To design vocational courses as self-contained modules, specifically tailored to meet the needs of adults.
- These programs aimed to cater to diverse target groups, including out-of-school girls.
- The framework emphasized a multi-entry and multi-exit modular approach, allowing flexibility in course duration.
Additionally, the NCF 2005 laid the groundwork for a National Curriculum Framework 2023 and aligned with the recently formulated Education Policy (NEP 2020). The document is developed based on the vision of NEP 2020.
NEP 2020
Thus, the development of well-rounded individuals capable of rational thought and action, equipped with appropriate knowledge and capacities, is the goal of the ‘National Curriculum Framework 2023’.
Salient Features of NCF 2023
Here are some of the salient features of National Curriculum Framework 2023 (NCF 2023):
- The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), developed based on the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), represents a significant milestone. It is the first-ever integrated curriculum framework designed for children aged 3 to 18 in India.
- The National Curriculum Framework 2023 (NCF 2023) places a significant emphasis on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), laying a robust Foundation in Literacy and Numeracy (FLN). This focus is designed to enhance children’s comprehension and future learning capabilities.
- The National Curriculum Framework 2023 (NCF 2023) underscores the importance of providing top-tier education to all children. This aligns with the vision of fostering an equitable, inclusive, and diverse society, as outlined in our constitution.
- This framework aligns with the 5+3+3+4 structure proposed by the NEP 2020, which organizes education into four stages:
- Foundational Stage (Ages 3-8): This stage includes Anganwadi/pre-school (3 years) followed by primary school (Grades 1-2, covering ages 6-8).
- Preparatory Stage (Ages 8-11): Encompasses Grades 3-5.
- Middle Stage (Ages 11-14): Covers Grades 6-8.
- Secondary Stage (Ages 14-18): Divided into two phases—Grades 9 and 10 in the first phase and Grades 11 and 12 in the second phase.
NCF 2023 for Foundational Stage
The National Curriculum Framework introduces a new five-year educational structure at the Foundational Stage, spanning from Class Balvatika (Pre-School) to Class II, which will be implemented in the 2023-24 academic year.
Foundational Stage is a single curricular and pedagogical phase that comprises five years of flexible multi-level play and activity-based learning for children between 3-8 years of age.
How do Children learn at a Foundational stage?
National Curriculum Framework 2023 emphasizes the importance of play at the core of conceptual, operational, and transactional approaches of the curriculum.
- The new National Curriculum Framework has placed significant emphasis on ECCE. It is now well recognized that early educational intervention, coupled with nutrition, forms the foundations for positive future outcomes. Learning can be done through Arts & Crafts, Music, Movement, Conversations, Poems, Stories, Immediate Environment, Material Toys, and Outdoor Play. Play-based learning includes three levels Free Play, Guided Play, and Structured Play.
| Role of Play in ECCE | Free Play | Guided Play | Structured Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Child-led | Child-led | Teacher-led |
| What do Children do? | Children decide all their play | Children plan and lead their play | Children actively listen and follow the rules |
| What do Teachers do | Teachers organize a stimulating play environment in the classroom | Teachers actively facilitate play | Teachers plan activities and games with specific rules |
- The new National Curriculum Framework 2023 prioritizes achieving universal Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, focusing on the ability to read, write, and perform basic operations with numbers.
- The National Curriculum Framework 2023 (NCF) for the Foundational Stage underscores a seamless progression:
- Aims of Education: The goal is to nurture well-rounded individuals and develop desirable values, dispositions, capacities, Communication Skills, and knowledge.
- Curricular Goals: The education system aligns seamlessly with the goal.
- Competencies: These are the Skills, Attitudes, Values, Sports, Arts, etc., that a student is supposed to learn and will be able to do.
- Learning Outcomes: These are defined as what a student should learn and be able to do. They are derived from the Aims of Education as envisioned by NEP 2020.
The primary objective at this stage is to achieve optimal results in the following areas:
- Development of physical and motor skills
- Advancement of cognitive abilities
- Growth of socio-emotional and ethical values
- Enhancement of cultural and artistic appreciation
- Progress in communication, early language literacy, and numeracy skills
key points of NCF 2023
- Multidisciplinary, Holistic, and Integrated Education.
- Flexibility and Choice in the Secondary Stage.
- National Curriculum Framework 2023 aims to help positively transform the school education system of India through positive changes in the curriculum, including pedagogy.
- National Curriculum Framework 2023, Competencies are directly derived from a Curricular goal and are expected to be attained by the end of each Stage. Summative assessments at the end of each stage of schooling should be based on these competencies.
- Uses language to develop reasoning and argumentation skills by engaging with a variety of audio and written material.
- Students recognize their own emotional biases while reading and listening, and make logical connections between premises and conclusions in speech and writing.
- Ongoing assessment in the well-designed classroom can be developed through an Observation Schedule, Children’s Portfolio, Simple Language, Holistic Progress Card, and Rubrics for each competency.
NCF 2023 School Education
The National Curriculum Framework 2023 is a comprehensive guide for the school education system in India.
School Education must develop in students the appropriate Values, Dispositions, Capacities, and
Knowledge required to achieve the above vision of education.
The curriculum includes all those arrangements that directly impact the engagement and
learning of students.
This National Curriculum Framework 2023 has divided the school curriculum into four Stages, as per the recommendation of NEP 2020.
| National Curriculum Framework 2023: Structure | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundational/ Preschool Stage | • 3-6 years • 6-8 years | • Pre Nursery, Nursery, KG • Classes I & II | • One Language • Two Language+Math+Arts |
| Preparatory Stage | 8-11 years | Classes III, IV, & V | Two Language+Math+TWAU(EVS)+PE+Arts |
| Middle Stage | 11-14 years | Classes VI, VII, & VIII | Three Language+Math+SS+Sc.+PE+VE+Arts |
| Secondary Stage | • 14-16 years • 16-18 years | • Classes IX, X • Classes XI, XII | • Three Language+Math+SS+Sc.+PE+VE+Arts • Two Language |
- Foundational Stage: This Stage is for students aged between 3 and 8. The learning standards for this Stage are based on domains of development including Physical Development, Socio-emotional and Ethical Development, Cognitive Development, Aesthetic and Cultural Development, and Language and Literacy Development. In addition to these domains, it is important to set learning standards for developing positive learning habits that serve as a foundation for all further school learning. The pedagogy is largely Play-Based and emphasizes nurturing and caring relationships between the Teacher and the children.
- Preparatory Stage: This Stage is for students aged between 8 and 11. The learning standards for this Stage include two languages within Language Education, Mathematics, Art Education, and Physical Education. Pre-vocational skills are included as part of The World Around Us curriculum. Activity – and Discovery-based pedagogy should continue to play a significant role in the Preparatory Stage classroom.
- Middle Stage: This Stage is for students aged between 11 and 14. Students need to learn three languages. Learning Standards are set for these languages as well as for Mathematics, Art Education, and Physical Education. Science Education and Social Science Education have separate sets of learning standards, and Vocational Education finds its own curricular space and learning standards. Assessments can be more formal and explicit, and students should be given opportunities to engage with higher-order capacities of analysis and synthesis.
- Secondary Stage: This Stage is for students aged between 14 and 18. Phase 1 — Grades 9 and 10: All students would continue to engage with all the Curricular Areas as in the Middle Stage. Phase 2 — Grades 11 and 12: Choice-based courses are to be offered to enable flexibility and choice for students and to remove hard separations between disciplines and academic areas. Textbooks play a significant role in organizing content in Grades 9 and 10. In Grades 11 and 12, students should be encouraged to source content from multiple channels.
| Suggestive methods | Foundational & Preparatory Stage | Middle Stage | Secondary Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play-way | More Often | Often | Less Often |
| Discovery/Inquiry | Often | More Often | Often |
| Problem-solving | Often | More Often | More Often |
| Inductive | More Often | Often | Less Often |
| Deductive | Less Often | Often | More Often |
Conclusion on National Curriculum Framework 2023
In conclusion, the National Curriculum Framework 2023 marks a pivotal shift towards a more flexible, learner-centric, and inclusive educational paradigm in India. It aims to empower learners with the requisite skills and knowledge to effectively navigate the intricacies of today’s world. The framework promotes comprehensive development, critical thinking, and inclusivity as fundamental educational principles.