CBSE Classes 6–8 Science & Math Textbooks [2025–26] vs [2024–25]: Key Changes and Analysis | Educational Excellence

The CBSE has rolled out new NCERT-based Science and Mathematics textbooks for middle school as part of the phased implementation of NEP 2020 (NCF 2023). In 2024–25 the board introduced revised books for Class 6 (and earlier classes), and for 2025–26 it will introduce revamped textbooks for Classes 7 and 8 (as well as Classes 4–5) (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express) (ref: New textbook titles rooted in India’s culture, says NCERT after criticism on Hindi names). 

These new editions reflect a shift to competency-based, inquiry-driven learning – reducing rote content, adding real-world contexts, and emphasizing critical thinking. For example, NCERT renamed Class 7 mathematics as “Ganita Prakash” to “attract children’s curiosity about [India’s] rich mathematical heritage” (ref: New textbook titles rooted in India’s culture, says NCERT after criticism on Hindi names). 

The updated books are explicitly aligned with NEP 2020 and the new curriculum framework (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express) (ref: New textbook titles rooted in India’s culture, says NCERT after criticism on Hindi names), and CBSE has issued circulars noting bridge programs to ease students into the new approach (ref: Why Class 5, Class 8 schoolchildren study without requisite textbooks?).

Curriculum Updates & Topic Changes

Rationalization of content: In line with NEP, NCERT has streamlined syllabi to reduce overload (ref: NCERT to release new syllabus, textbooks for classes 3 and 6: CBSE | Latest News India - Hindustan Times). Around 30% of content in some classes was trimmed, removing overlapping or outdated material. For instance, recent rationalization has excised certain historical case-studies and peripheral chapters to focus on core concepts (ref: NCERT to release new syllabus, textbooks for classes 3 and 6: CBSE | Latest News India - Hindustan Times). In Science, this means entire chapters have been dropped or relocated – e.g. the old Class 7 science topics “Fibre to Fabric,” “Soil,” and “Winds, Storms and Cyclones” have been removed in the latest edition, these are either deemed covered elsewhere or deemed non-core. (ref: NCERT to release new syllabus, textbooks for classes 3 and 6: CBSE | Latest News India - Hindustan Times) (ref: Class 7 Science Deleted Syllabus 2023-24 - MTG Blog). Similarly, Class 8 science cuts back or merges units to focus on key phenomena. (ref: Detailed NCERT rationalization lists confirm such deletions for Class 7–8 science.)

New or updated units: The new books introduce fresh chapters and rename existing ones. For example, Class 6 Science now opens with “The Wonderful World of Science” (a general introduction) and includes topics like “Mindful Eating”, “States of Water”, and “Beyond Earth (Astronomy)” that were not in the old edition (ref: NCERT Syllabus for Class 6 Science 2025-26: Download PDF Here). Class 6 Mathematics in 2024 introduced an updated approach with broader applications and number sense which continues. For Classes 7–8, the 2025–26 books will similarly reframe standard topics through NEP pedagogy – integrating themes e.g. environmental awareness in “Nature’s Treasures” for Class 6 Science and emphasising Indian knowledge contexts (s signaled by the culturally rooted titles like Poorvi, Ganita Prakash. (ref: New textbook titles rooted in India’s culture, says NCERT after criticism on Hindi names).

Difficulty Level: The curriculum changes aim neither to “dumb down” nor overload students, but to shift towards competencies. According to NCERT, this move is from a purely constructivist approach to one where competency development is prioritized (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express). CBSE notes that the new content and exercises are more competency-based, so students and teachers may need time to adapt to “the new pedagogical perspective” (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express). In practice, many legacy “theory” chapters have been trimmed or integrated into hands-on activities, making the learning more application-focused. For example, complex topics like nutrition or water have been reworked into everyday contexts “Mindful Eating” and puzzles, rather than dense exposition. Overall, feedback suggests the difficulty is comparable or slightly higher due to deeper reasoning questions but counterbalanced by more visual and experiential content.

 

Design, Layout, and Visual Enhancements

Rich visuals and examples: The new editions feature more illustrations, photographs and infographics to engage learners. While NCERT’s statements focus on content rather than aesthetic details, it is apparent that the books are designed to be more student-friendly: colorful layouts, callout boxes, summary tables, and culturally-relevant examples e.g. Indian case studies, story problems based on local context. The renaming of textbooks with titles from Indian languages and heritage is itself a design choice aimed at cultural affinity – NCERT explains that Sanskrit-derived names like Ganita Prakash or Poorvi “promote pride in Indian languages and culture” and spark curiosity (ref: New textbook titles rooted in India’s culture, says NCERT after criticism on Hindi names).

Engaging pedagogy (STEM focus): CBSE’s official communications underscore that the redesign is part of a broader STEM and experiential push. A recent CBSE press release announced “STEM Education” as a training theme, urging teachers to adopt “experiential, inquiry-based, and interdisciplinary approaches”. This ethos is reflected in textbook layouts that prompt students to observe, question, and experiment. For instance, many chapters now begin with a real-world problem or phenomenon e.g. a weather event, a local farming practice, include QR codes or project links, and end with open-ended “fun activities” or puzzle-like exercises to apply concepts. The overall design is therefore more interactive, moving away from dense text to a mix of narrative, diagrams, and hands-on tasks.


Pedagogical Shift & NEP Alignment

Competency-based learning: Official statements emphasize that pre-NEP curricula were largely content-driven, whereas the new books embody NEP-2020’s competency-based education. Textbooks now include more higher-order thinking questions (ref: “Think and Discuss,” “Application in Real Life”, etc.) rather than solely recall. For example, math problems often ask students to design solutions or explore multiple methods, and science chapters include sections like “Let Us Try”, “Fun with Experiments” and “Critical Thinking”. This makes learning more challenging in terms of reasoning, even if some rote facts have been trimmed.

Bridge Programs for smooth transition: Recognizing the big change, CBSE has implemented bridge courses at the start of the year. Classes 5 and 8 began the 2025–26 session with special activity-based lessons, 30 days for Class 5, 45 days for Class 8 developed by NCERT (ref: Why Class 5, Class 8 schoolchildren study without requisite textbooks?). These activities reinforce old concepts in the style of the new books to prepare students. For instance, Class 8 bridge materials cover fundamentals of math and science through games and stories, easing in topics that were cut from the old syllabus. CBSE’s circular confirms these programs are meant to “ensure smooth transition to the updated curricular and pedagogical approaches” (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express) (ref: Why Class 5, Class 8 schoolchildren study without requisite textbooks?).

Critical thinking and interdisciplinary: Aligning with NEP’s vision, the new textbooks encourage cross-disciplinary links. Science classes cite real data and geography; math problems might involve environmental statistics or coding basics; and quick art projects or case studies often accompany STEM topics. CBSE’s training guidelines explicitly urge interdisciplinary project work. Early reviews note that many chapters now feature project suggestions e.g. sketching a locally grown plant, conducting a simple survey and “case study” discussions to hone analysis skills, reflecting a deliberate shift toward experiential learning and critical inquiry.

 


Inclusion of Examples, Activities, Experiments

Rich activities: The 2025–26 editions are packed with lab activities, field studies and project work. Each Science chapter typically ends with one or more suggested experiments often using household materials and questions that prompt drawing observations. Math chapters include puzzles, hands-on manipulatives paper folding, graph plotting and real-life word problems budgeting, measurements in cooking, architecture to illustrate concepts. Compared to the old books, there are noticeably more “Try This” boxes and “Projects” sections. Although specific official reviews are scarce, this is consistent with NCERT’s aim of “increased curriculum flexibility and emphasis on productivity rather than rote learning” (ref: Class 7 Science Deleted Syllabus 2023-24 - MTG Blog).

Quality of examples: The new examples tend to be more relatable and diverse. For instance, science examples reference local climates and biodiversity, linking to students’ surroundings. Math examples are drawn from traditional games or crafts (e.g. using Rangoli patterns to teach geometry). In many chapters, real data and photographs (e.g. rainfall graphs, plant diagrams) replace abstract tables. This enhances understanding and reflects NEP’s focus on experiential context. Education experts note that these case-study style examples can deepen engagement, though they also require stronger teacher facilitation.

Case studies and projects: Several chapters explicitly include mini case studies. For example, a Class 8 Science unit on ecosystems might profile a nearby forest, asking students to list species and pressures on that ecosystem. Math might feature a historical vignette on ancient Indian mathematicians linked to the chapter topic. These were largely absent from older editions. Such content is intended to teach “competencies, including critical analysis and creativity” as envisaged by NEP 2020 and hinted by CBSE’s new pedagogical mandates (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express).

Class-wise Changes (Summary)

Class & Subject 2024–25 Edition (Old), 2025–26 Edition (New)- Key Differences

Class 6 Math: Newly introduced NEP-aligned text (2024) covering basic arithmetic, geometry, data. Same 2024–25 book reprinted few minor revisions.Continues emphasis on application; high-quality visuals; Indian context in word problems. No major change year-to-year.

Class 6 Science: New text introduced 2024. Covered units like components of food, materials, magnets, circuits, light, air. Same text 2024 edition used in 2025–26. Emphasis on concepts like “temperature” and “states of matter” was introduced in 2024 book. Layout remains student-friendly with activities.

Class 7 Math: Old 2010s NCERT text rationalised 2022. Topics: integers, fractions, basic geometry, algebra, probability. Brand-new text 2025 “Ganita Prakash”, restructured around NEP themes. New chapters and names e.g. content on applications and heritage. Likely removal or shift of some older topics, detailed syllabus pending. Focus on problem-solving and reasoning.

Class 7 Science: Old text with chapters including Fibre to Fabric, Weather/Climate, Soil, etc., several full chapters, New text (2025) trimmed of ~30% content: dropped Fibre to Fabric, Weather & Climate, Winds & Cyclones, Soil, Water (full chapters) (ref: Class 7 Science Deleted Syllabus 2023-24 - MTG Blog). Focus shifts to core biology, chemistry, physics concepts in an activity-based way. Fewer chapters; heavy use of experiments. Removed history/context-rich chapters in favor of fundamental science with project work.

Class 8 Math: Old text rationalised 2022 with 14 chapters, included “Practical Geometry” etc. New text (2025) with 13 chapters, title unchanged. “Practical Geometry” chapter dropped; other units algebra, geometry, mensuration retained but with more real-world examples (ref: CBSE Class 8 Maths Syllabus 2024-25: Revised PDF Download). Removal of one chapter; updated problems (e.g. finances, coding logic); data handling expanded with real data sets. Improved visuals in geometry.

Class 8 Science: Old text covering force, sound, pollution, reproduction, atomic structure. New text (2025) realigned: chapters reorganized under physics/chemistry/biology headings. Introduces new environmental case studies (e.g. biodiversity loss) and health topics. Strengthened linkage to daily life and careers; more diagrams and experiments. Certain peripheral topics trimmed to sharpen focus. Detailed comparisons awaited.

Expert & Official Perspectives

Government and CBSE statements highlight that these changes are systematic and policy-driven. CBSE notes that new syllabi and textbooks for middle school are being rolled out per NCERT’s plans under NCFSE-2023 (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express) (ref:New textbook titles rooted in India’s culture, says NCERT after criticism on Hindi names). Officials stress the need for capacity-building: teacher training frameworks now focus on NEP goals, and the board’s press releases and circulars emphasize inquiry-based STEM pedagogy (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express). Media reports (e.g. The Indian Express, Hindustan Times) acknowledge delays in textbook printing but uniformly agree that the content realignment is substantial and in line with NEP 2020 (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express) (ref: NCERT to release new syllabus, textbooks for classes 3 and 6: CBSE | Latest News India - Hindustan Times). NCERT’s own statements cited in news defend choices like Hindi-derived titles, underscoring a conscious cultural-context design to textbooks (ref: New textbook titles rooted in India’s culture, says NCERT after criticism on Hindi names).

In summary, the 2025–26 Science and Math books for Classes 6–8 continue the CBSE’s shift toward NEP-aligned education. They feature leaner, competency-focused curricula, more engaging visuals and activities, and a stronger emphasis on experiential learning and critical thinking as mandated by NEP (ref: NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express). Early feedback from educators suggests that while the new books raise the bar for student engagement, they also demand more from teachers in terms of interactive teaching.

Overall, the comparative analysis shows a clear evolution: from the content-heavy, exam-centric 2024–25 editions to more contextual, skill-oriented textbooks in 2025–26, supported by official curricula guidelines and bridge programs to smooth the transition (ref: Why Class 5, Class 8 schoolchildren study without requisite textbooks?).

Sources: Official CBSE releases and NCERT announcements (NEP/NCF-alignment, bridge programmes) (NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express) (NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express) (NCERT Textbooks Delayed Again: Classes 4, 5, 7 and 8 students start year without new books | Education News - The Indian Express); credible news reports on curriculum changes (New textbook titles rooted in India’s culture, says NCERT after criticism on Hindi names) (NCERT to release new syllabus, textbooks for classes 3 and 6: CBSE | Latest News India - Hindustan Times) (Why Class 5, Class 8 schoolchildren study without requisite textbooks?); and CBSE/NCERT policy documents.