Online learners enrolled in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology (PCMB) Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered by the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET) are facing delays in receiving updated content aligned with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE).

Despite high enrolment numbers with over 15,304 students registered for NCERT MOOCs for Classes IX to XII in 2025-26 learners continue to study outdated content that predates the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 reforms.

Learners Affected by Outdated Modules

Many students, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who rely solely on these modules for exam preparation and self-study, are now turning to alternative study materials or private coaching.

While each online course attracts more than 2,000 learners per cycle due to its accessibility and zero cost, engagement levels have declined because of outdated curriculum and technological limitations.

A CIET coordinator shared that most of the currently available online modules were developed during the Covid-19 period and require urgent revision to remain relevant and effective.

Delay Linked to Pending Textbook Releases

NCERT officials confirmed that content updates have been delayed due to the ongoing development and release of revised textbooks under the new NCF-SE framework.
Once textbooks are finalised, updating the corresponding MOOCs may take an additional six months.

Science subjects have been particularly impacted with higher dropout rates due to outdated material and technical shortcomings. In comparison, subjects like Accountancy and Business Studies have witnessed better engagement as their content requires fewer conceptual revisions.

Large Impact and National Reach

Data from 15 SWAYAM learning cycles conducted between 2017 and 2025 show that more than 5.21 lakh learners have benefitted from NCERT’s online platforms.

A senior NCERT official noted that the digital learning material hosted on platforms such as SWAYAM and DIKSHA is largely based on NCERT textbooks, making timely updates essential for students preparing for national-level competitive exams.

Teacher Training Underway

NCERT has also trained more than 12,133 teachers to integrate MOOCs into classroom learning, ensuring the digital ecosystem continues to support hybrid and flexible learning models.

Looking Ahead

With the new NCF-SE-aligned textbooks in progress, NCERT aims to accelerate revisions and relaunch updated modules to maintain relevance, accessibility, and quality of online learning resources.