NaOH + HCl ---> NaCl + H2O In the above chemical reaction :

The chemical reaction NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O is a classic example of an acid-base neutralization reaction [1]. In this process, the acid (HCl) reacts with the base (NaOH) to produce a salt (NaCl) and water [1]. For a reaction to be classified as redox, there must be a change in the oxidation numbers of the constituent elements [2]. In this specific reaction, the oxidation states remain constant: Sodium (Na) stays at +1, Chlorine (Cl) at -1, Hydrogen (H) at +1, and Oxygen (O) at -2 throughout the process. Since no electrons are transferred and no oxidation states change, none of the elements are oxidized or reduced. The reaction is driven by the combination of H+ and OH- ions to form water, rather than electron transfer.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: Acids, Bases and Salts > 2.1.4 How do Acids and Bases React with each other? > p. 21
2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Chemical Reactions and Equations > CuO +H Cu+H O 2 2 → Heat (1.29) > p. 12