Judiciary – NCERT Withdraws Class 8 Textbook After Supreme Court Objections
Judiciary – The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Tuesday issued an unconditional public apology following criticism over a chapter discussing judicial corruption in a recently released Class 8 social science textbook. The council also confirmed that the entire book has been withdrawn from circulation after concerns were raised about the content.
The textbook, titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Grade 8, Part 2)”, included a chapter focusing on the role of the judiciary in society. Within this section, the book briefly discussed certain challenges faced by the judicial system, including corruption allegations, the large backlog of cases pending in courts and the shortage of judges. The references triggered strong reactions and eventually led to legal scrutiny.
NCERT Issues Public Apology and Withdraws the Book
In an official statement released on Tuesday, NCERT acknowledged the controversy and expressed regret over the inclusion of the disputed content. The council’s director and its members formally extended an unconditional and unqualified apology, stating that the matter had been taken seriously.
According to the statement, the textbook has now been completely withdrawn and will no longer be available in print or digital form. The organisation also indicated that steps were being taken to review the material and ensure that similar concerns do not arise in future publications.
The move came shortly after the issue reached the Supreme Court, drawing national attention to the content of the school textbook.
Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance
The controversy escalated when senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi mentioned the matter before the Supreme Court, requesting urgent consideration. Following the submission, the court took suo motu cognisance of the issue.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, examined the matter during a hearing. The bench described the references made in the chapter as objectionable and raised concerns about how such topics were presented in educational material for school students.
During the proceedings, the Chief Justice emphasised that the integrity of the judiciary must be protected. He stated that any content which could potentially damage public trust in the judicial system should not be included without careful consideration.
Court Orders Ban on Publication and Circulation
After reviewing the matter, the Supreme Court directed that the textbook should not be published, reprinted or circulated in any form. This order applies to both physical copies and digital versions of the book.
The court observed that the content had the potential to harm the reputation of a key constitutional institution. As a result, the bench instructed authorities to ensure that the book is removed from distribution channels.
The decision effectively halted further availability of the publication and reinforced the court’s position on safeguarding the credibility of the judiciary.
Government Signals Possible Action
The Union government also responded to the issue soon after the controversy surfaced. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the matter was being examined and accountability would be determined.
According to the minister, those responsible for drafting or approving the section would be identified and appropriate action would be taken if required. He emphasised the importance of maintaining accuracy and responsibility in school textbooks, particularly when addressing institutions of national importance.
Education authorities are expected to review the editorial process that led to the inclusion of the disputed material. Officials indicated that the aim is to strengthen oversight mechanisms for future academic publications.
Debate Over Academic Content and Institutional Sensitivity
The incident has sparked wider discussion about how complex topics involving public institutions should be addressed in school education. While textbooks often attempt to explain challenges within governance systems, experts say the presentation of such issues must be carefully balanced and contextually appropriate for students.
For now, NCERT’s decision to withdraw the textbook and apologise publicly has brought temporary closure to the controversy. However, the episode has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding educational content and the scrutiny it can attract when it concerns constitutional bodies.