Suparna Diwakar

Suparna Diwakar
Born
India
OccupationsEducationalist, social entrepreneur, educational consultant
Organizations
Known forContributions to school curriculum development in India

Suparna Diwakar is an Indian educationalist, social entrepreneur, and development professional associated with curriculum development initiatives in India. She was formerly involved in the development of school-level social science textbooks for the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).[1][2][3][4][5]

Career

Diwakar has worked in the field of school education and curriculum development, particularly in social science education. She has been associated with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as part of teams involved in the preparation and revision of school textbooks. Her work has included contributions to pedagogical content and academic resources intended for school-level learners.[6][7][8][9]

She has also been involved in educational consulting and social sector initiatives related to curriculum design, teacher support, and capacity-building in education. Her work includes collaboration with academic and non-profit organisations working in the education and development sectors.

In addition to her work with NCERT, Diwakar has been associated with the School of Inspired Leadership (SOIL) and the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), where she has contributed to teaching, training, and programme development in areas related to education and leadership in the social sector.[10]

She has also been associated with organisations including the Azim Premji Foundation, UNICEF, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and the Indian Institute of Science in consulting, collaborative, or project-based roles related to education and development.[10][11]

Diwakar has been associated with Rishihood University, where she has contributed to academic and programme development at the Rashtram School of Public Leadership.[10]

She has been a member of a task force constituted by the Government of Karnataka for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the state.[10][12]

Earlier in her career, she was associated with non-governmental organisations such as MYRADA, Adamya Chetana and Sewa International, working on development and education-related initiatives.[10][13]

Her professional work spans curriculum design, development of teaching-learning materials, and support for educators through training and resource development.

Textbook controversy (2026)

Background

In 2026, Diwakar was among the contributors to a Class 8 social science textbook titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond, which became the subject of proceedings before the Supreme Court of India.[14][2][3]

The textbook included a section discussing issues related to institutional accountability in the judiciary.

Supreme Court proceedings

Following objections to the content, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance and issued directions concerning the use and circulation of the material pending further proceedings.[5][14][3]

The Court further directed the Union and state governments to disassociate from the authors involved in the chapter. Diwakar, along with Michel Danino and Alok Prasanna Kumar, was among those named in this direction.[3][14]

Following the Court's order, NCERT reconstituted its National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC), removing members associated with the chapter, including Diwakar.[15]

According to The Indian Express:

The court described the chapter on the judiciary as a “calculated move to undermine and demean the dignity of the judiciary”, and imposed a “complete blanket ban” on further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the textbook.

— The Indian Express, 9 April 2026[15]

The matter remained under judicial consideration at the time, with further proceedings pending.

Responses and reactions

The developments were reported in multiple media outlets and led to wider public discussion on questions relating to educational content, institutional representation, and academic freedom.[2][5][14]

In April 2026, a group of academics wrote to President Droupadi Murmu seeking intervention in the matter, expressing concern that the actions taken could have implications for academic freedom.[16][17][18][19][20]

Selected works

Articles and essays

  • Diwakar, Suparna. "Suparna Diwakar – Contributor page". India Development Review. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  • Diwakar, Suparna. "Reimagining education through relationships and context". India Development Review. Retrieved 12 April 2026.

Educational contributions

See also

References

  1. ↑ "SC Directs Union Govt, States, to Disassociate With Experts Behind Controversial Chapter in NCERT Textbook". The Wire. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "NCERT text book row: Trained lawyer, Indophile, educationist face SC ire". Hindustan Times. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 ""Judiciary" chapter row: NCERT authors blacklisted by SC". Supreme Court Observer. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "NCERT book row: IIT-Gandhinagar to review Michel Danino's guest professor role after SC directive". The Economic Times. 12 March 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Iyer, Aishwarya (20 March 2026). "NCERT Textbook Case: Supreme Court Informed Expert Committee Review Ongoing | NCERT Textbook Case: Supreme Court Informed Expert Committee Review Ongoing". lawbeat.in. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  6. ↑ Rajagopal, Krishnadas (11 March 2026). "NCERT book row: Supreme Court unhappy with 'rewritten' chapter". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  7. ↑ "NCERT book row: Who are the 3 whom SC wants Centre, states to disassociate from". The Indian Express. 11 March 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  8. ↑ Kaushik, Aastha (11 March 2026). "Breaking: Supreme Court directs Union and states to disassociate from authors of NCERT's "Judicial Corruption" chapter". Verdictum. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  9. ↑ "'Authors of NCERT judiciary chapter unfit to shape curriculum for future generations': SC". Mathrubhumi. 11 March 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "NCERT text book row: Trained lawyer, Indophile, educationist face SC ire". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "Suparna Diwakar Archives". India Development Review. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  12. ↑ "Episode 26: Reimagining Education Through Indic Knowledge Systems and Sacred Relationship with Suparna Diwakar". How Things Connect. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "About Sewa Fellowship". www.sewainternational.org. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "NCERT apologises for controversial judiciary chapter, withdraws Class 8 textbook". The Times of India. 10 March 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  15. 1 2 "NCERT revamps curriculum committee after Supreme Court rap over Class 8 textbook". The Indian Express. 9 April 2026.
  16. ↑ "Scholars write to President over NCERT book ban". Hindustan Times. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  17. ↑ Service, Express News (10 April 2026). "51 academics, scholars ask President to overturn NCERT textbook ban". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  18. ↑ Dutta, Tanushka (9 April 2026). "Academics Write To President Over NCERT Textbook Ban, Flag 'Threat To Academic Freedom'". NDTV. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  19. ↑ www.ETEducation.com. "Over 50 academicians urge President Murmu to intervene in NCERT textbook ban". ETEducation.com. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  20. ↑ Porecha, Maitri (8 April 2026). "Textbook row: academics ask President to intervene". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
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