The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an “unconditional and unqualified apology” after a controversial chapter on the judiciary in a Class 8 Social Science textbook triggered widespread criticism and legal scrutiny.
The education body confirmed that the entire book titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Grade 8, Part II) has been withdrawn from circulation.
Chapter on Judiciary Sparks Controversy
The controversy centred on Chapter IV: “The Role of Judiciary in our Society,” which discussed challenges faced by the judicial system, including corruption, case backlogs, and the shortage of judges.
Critics argued that the content portrayed the judiciary negatively, sparking objections from several quarters.
In a statement posted on X, NCERT acknowledged the issue and apologised for the chapter.
“The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said chapter. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available,” the statement said.
Supreme Court Orders Ban on the Textbook
The controversy intensified after the Supreme Court of India imposed a complete ban on the publication, reprinting, and digital distribution of the textbook.
The court described the content as “offending” and criticised its portrayal of corruption within the judiciary.
During hearings, Surya Kant reportedly expressed strong concern about the impact of such content on students and society.
The court observed that the issue extends beyond classrooms and could influence teachers, parents, and public perception of the judicial system.
Government Moves to Stop Digital Distribution
Following the court’s remarks, the Ministry of Education (India) requested assistance from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to halt the dissemination of the textbook across digital platforms.
The government also informed the court that individuals involved in drafting the controversial chapter would no longer be associated with the ministry.
However, Tushar Mehta told the court about the action taken, which the bench reportedly described as insufficient.
Court Calls for Detailed Investigation
The Supreme Court stressed the need for accountability and called for a thorough investigation into how the chapter was approved.
Justice Surya Kant said the matter could not be closed without identifying those responsible.
The court emphasised that any attempt to undermine the credibility of the judiciary must be taken seriously.
Previous NCERT Textbook Controversies
This is not the first time an NCERT textbook has faced criticism.
In 1978, historian R. S. Sharma’s book Ancient India was removed from the CBSE syllabus after objections regarding its interpretation of historical events.
Another controversy emerged in 2012 over a political science textbook titled Indian Constitution at Work, which included a cartoon featuring B. R. Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru. The episode led to protests and the resignation of academic advisors Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar.
More recently, between 2022 and 2024, several references—including sections on the 2002 Gujarat riots and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots—were removed from certain school textbooks as part of curriculum revisions.
