NCERT Class 8 Science Textbook Bridges Modern Science With Ancient Indian Discoveries
The latest NCERT science textbook for Class 8 highlights India’s rich scientific heritage, linking modern scientific concepts with early Indian discoveries and innovations.
This initiative is part of the broader changes under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which aim to create a learning environment rooted in India’s culture while preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century.
The 228-page textbook features 13 chapters that integrate traditional Indian scientific knowledge with contemporary science. Notable ancient contributions such as Acharya Kanad’s concept of Parmanu (atom), Bhaskara II’s astronomical techniques using water bowls, and the ancient practice of variolation to combat smallpox are thoughtfully woven into the curriculum.
𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐄𝐏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 & 𝐍𝐂𝐅-𝐒𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 📖
📘 Curiosity (Science Textbook) – Class 8
📘Kaushal Bodh (Vocational Education Textbook) – Class-8Crafted to spark imagination, creativity, and conceptual clarity in… pic.twitter.com/oVucV9qsyf
— NCERT (@ncert) July 9, 2025
Each chapter includes sections titled “Ever heard of?” and “Our scientific heritage”, designed to spark curiosity and pride among students. These sections connect the dots between age-old Indian practices and present-day scientific understanding.
In the chapter “Particulate Nature of Matter”, students learn how Acharya Kanad, a philosopher from ancient India, proposed the existence of indivisible particles called Parmanu, much before modern atomic theory took shape.
Also, read| How Are NCERT Textbooks Different Under The New Education Policy 2020?
Similarly, in “Nature of Matter: Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures”, the textbook describes how alloys like Kamsya (bronze), a mixture of copper and tin, were used in traditional medicine to aid digestion and boost immunity.
The chapter “Health: The Ultimate Treasure” introduces students to variolation, a traditional Indian method used centuries ago to protect against smallpox by creating a mild infection to build immunity. It also acknowledges the vital role played by Indian vaccine manufacturers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In “Light: Mirrors and Lenses”, the textbook reveals that Indian astronomers in Bhaskara II’s era, over 800 years ago, used shallow water bowls and angled tubes to study planetary positions, demonstrating practical knowledge of light reflection principles.
Another chapter, “Keeping Time with the Skies”, references a verse from the ancient Taittiriya Samhita, which describes the Sun’s northward and southward journeys.
Also, read| CBSE Board Class 10 & 12 Question Papers In Tamil Language, Demands DMK
It also highlights India’s space achievements through missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Aditya-L1 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The textbook is designed to promote inquiry-based and experiential learning. It encourages students to ask questions, think critically, and connect scientific principles to real-life scenarios.
It integrates subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science, while also emphasising environmental awareness, ethics, and India’s longstanding knowledge traditions.
The textbook also features a special segment titled “Be a Scientist”, which introduces young learners to the achievements of modern Indian scientists like Vikram Sarabhai, Meghnad Saha, Asima Chatterjee, Kamal Ranadive, and M.K. Bhan.
This release is part of NCERT’s phased rollout of new textbooks aligned with NEP 2020. After introducing revised books for Classes 1 and 2 in 2023 and for Classes 3 and 6 in 2024, the council is now launching new textbooks for Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8 in 2025.
