NCERT's new Class 9 social science textbook includes a chapter that teaches students how to calculate income tax. The book, titled Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Part Two, was released on September 29.

The chapter, called Managing Your Personal Finances, walks students through slab-wise tax calculation under the new income-tax regime. It uses worked examples to show how salary income is taxed at different slabs. Only the new regime is covered in the book.

NCERT chief Dinesh Prasad Saklani said the aim is to build financial literacy early, so students understand how the tax system works before they enter the workforce. The chapter also touches on saving, budgeting and the civic role of taxes.

Teachers have welcomed the addition, saying practical money skills are often missing from school curricula. The book is part of NCERT's ongoing curriculum overhaul under the National Education Policy. The new books will reach classrooms in the coming academic session.