The Government of India has set up a committee chaired by S. K. Thorat. This committee was tasked with reviewing political cartoons and other content present in the social science and political science textbooks for classes IX to XII. The purpose of the review was likely to ensure that the content in these textbooks is appropriate and accurate.

Option 1, which suggests that the committee was formed to review the working of the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training), is not supported by the information provided in the question. Therefore, this option can be eliminated.

Option 2 proposes that the committee was responsible for developing guidelines for preparing the syllabus of central schools. While this is a possible task for a committee, the question specifically mentions a focus on reviewing political cartoons and content in social science and political science textbooks. Thus, option 2 can also be ruled out.

Option 4 suggests that the committee was responsible for determining guidelines for preparing test items. However, the question specifies that the committee`s mandate was related to reviewing content in textbooks, not assessments. Therefore, option 4 can be eliminated as well.

Considering the options provided, option 3 aligns with the given information and the mandate of the committee. No alert is needed, and option 3 is the correct answer