Meet The People Shaping India's Education: The High-Powered Committee Of NCERT

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has established a high-powered National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC) to develop the school syllabus, textbooks, and study materials for Classes 3-12.

This 19-member committee is chaired by Mahesh Chandra Pant, Chancellor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), and co-chaired by renowned ace mathematician Prof. Manjul Bhargava from Princeton University.

Here are the brief profiles of distinguished intellectuals and luminaries who are part of this committee:

1. Mahesh Chandra Pant

Mahesh Chandra Pant is a distinguished academician and chancellor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA).

He will be the chairman of this 19-member diverse committee.

2. Professor Manjul Bhargava

Prof Manjul Bhargava is a renowned mathematician known for his significant contributions to number theory. Bhargava has received numerous accolades for his groundbreaking work, including the prestigious Fields Medal, the highest award in the field of mathematics.

In view of his achievements, he was conferred the Fellowship of the Royal Society in 2019.

His research spans various areas, such as algebraic number theory, modular forms, and representation theory, resulting in important breakthroughs that have enhanced our understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts.

In addition to his impressive mathematical achievements, Bhargava is also recognised for his ability to effectively communicate complex ideas, inspiring both fellow mathematicians and aspiring scholars. He is also known to be a proficient musician, apart from being a mathematical prodigy.

3. Dr Sudha Murthy

Sudha Murthy, an Indian author, philanthropist, and social worker, is highly respected for her remarkable achievements.

As the Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, she has made significant contributions to charitable and developmental initiatives in India.

Sudha Murty broke barriers when she became the first female engineer hired at TATA Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO), India's largest auto manufacturer.

Sudha has also held the position of Visiting Professor at the PG Center of Bangalore University and taught at Christ University.

Murthy is also an accomplished writer, known for her heartwarming stories that beautifully capture the essence of everyday life and values.

Her remarkable work in literature and social welfare has earned her widespread admiration and recognition, establishing her as a prominent figure in both the literary and philanthropic realms in India.

4. Dr Bibek Debroy

Bibek Debroy, a distinguished economist, scholar, and author from India, is highly regarded for his knowledge in economics, governance, and public policy.

Debroy has made significant contributions to game theory, economic theory, income and social inequalities, poverty, law reforms, railway reforms, and indology, among others.

Furthermore, Debroy has actively participated in policy formulation and has provided valuable advice to the Indian government. He is also the Chairman of the Finance Ministry's 'Expert Committee for Infrastructure Classification and Financing Framework for Amrit Kaal'.

Debroy has translated several ancient Indian texts into English, including the unabridged version of the Mahabharata, which spans across 10 volumes.

Additionally, he has translated other significant works such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Harivamsa, the Vedas, and Valmiki's Ramayana (in three volumes) and various prominent Puranas.

His translations of both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana in unabridged form make him one of the few individuals, alongside Manmatha Nath Dutt, to achieve this feat. In recognition of his translations, Debroy was honored with the Sir Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar Memorial Award in July 2023 by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.

5. Dr Shekhar Mande

Dr Shekhar Mande has served as the Director-General of CSIR and is currently a Distinguished Professor at Savitibai Phule Pune University and the Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology.

Prior to this, he was the Director of the National Centre of Cell Science, Pune.

He has been a member of various national and international committees, such as the scientific advisory committee of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Trieste, Italy.

He has also served on the Management Council of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, the Council of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, and the Management Councils of Solapur University and Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Additionally, he has been a member of the Governing Body of the Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA).

Currently, he chairs the Governing Board of the National Council of Science Museums and is the National President of Vijnana Bharati, a voluntary science movement in India.

From December 2019, he held the position of the chair of the National Committee for the International Union of Crystallography for the Indian National Science Academy in New Delhi.

6. Dr Sujatha Ramodarai

Dr Ramdorai's early work focused on the algebraic theory of quadratic forms and the arithmetic geometry of elliptic curves. She played a key role in formulating a non-commutative version of the main conjecture of Iwasawa theory, which is fundamental to this important field.

In addition to her other roles, Dr Ramdorai holds an adjunct professorship position at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Pune.

Dr Ramdorai is actively involved in various international research agencies, serving as a member of the Scientific Committee for organisations such as the Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research, Banff International Research Station, and International Centre for Pure and Applied Mathematics.

She has also held positions of influence in national committees, including the National Knowledge Commission from 2007 to 2009. Currently, she is a member of the Prime Minister's Scientific Advisory Council and the National Innovation Council. Additionally, she serves on the advisory board of Gonit Sora.

Ramdorai has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 2006, she became the first Indian to win the prestigious ICTP Ramanujan Prize. In 2004, she was also honored with the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, the highest recognition in scientific fields given by the Indian Government. In 2020, she was awarded the Krieger-Nelson Prize for her exceptional contributions to mathematics research.

7. Shankar Mahadevan

Shankar Mahadevan is a highly acclaimed Indian musician, singer, and composer.

He is best known as a prominent vocalist and one-third of the renowned Indian music trio "Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy," which has created numerous hit songs for Indian films.

Mahadevan's versatile singing talent spans various genres, and he has won several prestigious awards for his contributions to the music industry.

His distinctive voice, remarkable range, and creative compositions have firmly established him as one of India's most celebrated and influential musical artists.

8. U Vimal Kumar

U Vimal Kumar, an Indian badminton player, achieved consecutive victories in the Indian National title in 1988 and 1989.

He later became the Chief National Coach of India and played a pivotal role as the Co-Founder, Director, and Chief Coach in the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy.

In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the Dronacharya Award in 2019. Additionally, Vimal Kumar won a bronze medal in the Men's team event at the 1986 Asian Games.

Vimal Kumar's career in badminton was marked by notable achievements. He emerged victorious in the French Open in 1983 and 1984, as well as the Welsh International Open in 1988 and 1991. Representing India at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, he showcased his skills and achieved a ranking within the top 20 players worldwide.

Throughout his career, Vimal Kumar also served as the National chief coach for the Indian badminton squad, a role he relinquished in 2006 to focus on coaching young talents at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy.

His coaching expertise and experience led him to become the National chief coach for the Indian badminton squad for a significant period.

9. Professor Michel Danino

Michel Danino is a distinguished Franco-Indian historian, author, and researcher. He is also a visiting professor at IIT Gandhi Nagar.

He specialises in Indian history, culture, and civilization, with a focus on the ancient period. With a deep passion for India's heritage, he has contributed significantly to the understanding and preservation of its rich cultural legacy.

Danino's notable works include writings on the Indus Valley Civilization, environmental history, and the relationship between science and spirituality in Indian thought. His insightful research and publications have earned him recognition as a prominent scholar in the field of Indian studies.

10. Suraina Rajan

Suraina Rajan is a retired officer of the Indian Administrative Services.

She has served as the former Director-General of the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Haryana Institute of Public Administration in Delhi, India.

11. Chamu Krishna Shastry

Chamu Krishna Shashty is an Indian educationist who has been working for the revival of the Sanskrit language for the last four decades, particularly spearheading a movement to teach Sanskrit through Sanskrit.

In 2016, he was a member of the central government-constituted Sanskrit Committee that developed the "Road Map for the Development of Sanskrit – Ten Year Perspective Plan" document. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and various other universities.

He is known for his fluent and thought-provoking oratory in Sanskrit. Shastry is highly regarded as a renowned speaker. As a prolific writer, he has authored a dozen books and numerous articles in Sanskrit.

He is the trustee and secretary of the Sanskrit Promotion Foundation. He is also a co-founder of Sanskrit Bharati.

12. Sanjeev Sanyal

Sanjeev Sanyal is a well-known economist, urban theorist, and a bestselling author.

He has made significant contributions in the fields of economics, environmental sustainability, and history.

Sanyal attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He has had many affiliations, including being a Visiting Scholar at Oxford University, an Adjunct Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, Singapore, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, London, Visiting Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, and a Senior Fellow of the World Wildlife Fund.

He was awarded the Eisenhower Fellowship in 2007 for his work on urban dynamics. In 2010 he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Sanyal is the author of a number of best-selling books, including "Land of the Seven Rivers," "The Ocean of Churn," "India in the Age of Ideas," and the "Indian Renaissance".

Sanyal has held important positions in the Indian government and financial institutions, where he has played a role in shaping policies. He is a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India and has helped prepare six editions of the Economic Survey of India starting in 2017.

He is widely recognised for his insightful books and engaging public speaking, which offer unique perspectives on economic and societal trends in India and beyond.

13. Dr M D Srinivas

Dr M D Srinivas obtained an M.Sc. in Physics from Bangalore University and was awarded a fellowship from the University of Rochester. He completed his Ph.D. Thesis on Quantum Mechanics as a Generalized Stochastic Process in Phase Space in 1976.

Following this, he served as a faculty member in the Department of Theoretical Physics at the University of Madras until 1996.

He is also the chairman of the Centre for Policy Studies, Chennai.

14. Gajanan Londhe

Gajanan Londhe is the head of the program office of NSTC.

15. Dr Rabin Chhetri

Dr Rabin Chhetri is serving as the Director of the State Council of Education and Research Training (SCERT).

The panel includes four remaining members from NCERT: Prof. Pratyusha Kumar Mandala, Prof. Dinesh Kumar, Prof. Kirti Kapoor, and Prof. Ranjana Arora.