On Periodic Table Dropped From Class 10 Books, An Official Clarification

More than 1,800 scientists and educators had written an open letter expressing concern over the rationalisation exercise.

The concepts of periodic table and evolution have not been removed from the school education curriculum but in fact are available in appropriate detail for students who opt for science in classes 11 and 12, the National Council of Educational Research and Training, or NCERT has said after its move to remove the chapters from Class 10 textbooks led to severe backlash from scientists and experts.

The content placed in the periodic table have been made "more age appropriate" based on the feedback received from various stakeholders, including practising teachers, it said justifying the reason behind the move.

"Students pursuing science in classes 11 and 12 will study the details of Periodic Classification of elements (Periodic table). The content placed in the periodic table again have been made more age appropriate, more so considering the Covid pandemic situation," it said.

In India, Class 10 is the last year in which science is taught as a compulsory subject. Only students who elect to study chemistry in the final two years of education (before university) will learn about the periodic table.