The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to update its Legal Studies syllabus for Classes XI and XII, incorporating significant legal reforms and contemporary issues. The updated curriculum, scheduled to be implemented from the 2026-27 academic session, will include the repeal of triple talaq, the decriminalization of homosexuality through the removal of Section 377, and the scrapping of the sedition law. This decision, approved by the CBSE's Curriculum Committee and ratified by the Governing Body in June 2025, aims to modernize legal education and align it with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The revised syllabus will introduce students to new laws that have replaced colonial-era statutes, along with landmark judgments and doctrines that have reshaped India's legal framework. Specifically, the curriculum will cover the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), which replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act in 2023-24.
The inclusion of the repeal of triple talaq, the removal of Section 377, and the scrapping of the sedition law reflects a commitment to addressing outdated and discriminatory provisions. Section 377 of the IPC, dating back to 1861, penalized sexual activities deemed "against the order of nature". The updated syllabus will also focus on key provisions of the BNS, BNSS, and BSA, important legal judgments, and contemporary legal doctrines.
CBSE officials have acknowledged that the current Legal Studies textbooks, introduced over five years ago, have fallen behind the pace of legal reform. To address this, the CBSE will form an expert committee and may engage a content development agency to prepare the revised textbooks, ensuring they are ready for the 2026-27 academic session. The updated material aims to deliver a modern, student-focused approach to teaching legal concepts at the senior secondary level. The textbooks will be designed according to modern, engaging pedagogy aligned with the new National Education Policy (NEP).
Legal Studies was introduced in Class XI in 2013 and in Class XII in 2014. In April 2024, the Directorate of Education approved its introduction in 29 additional schools. The subject has gained relevance for students pursuing careers in law, public policy, or governance. The current subject framework combines theoretical study with project work. Class XI covers topics such as constitutional values, jurisprudence, and the court system, while Class XII focuses on business and general laws, contracts, torts, criminal law, and sustainable development. The last major syllabus update occurred in 2022–23, when the curriculum was expanded to include the POSH Act 2013, the Right to Information Act, the Consumer Protection Act, Intellectual Property Rights, and legal entities. In addition to Legal Studies, CBSE's Governing Body also approved updates to vocational courses including Taxation and Financial Markets Management.
