NCERT Apologizes for Textbook Chapter on Judicial Corruption Amid SC Scrutiny

Top Summary

• What happened: NCERT issued a public apology and withdrew a Class 8 textbook chapter discussing judicial corruption after Supreme Court intervention.
• Why it matters: The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the chapter's content, raising concerns about its impact on students and the judiciary's reputation.
• What changes for people: The textbook is withdrawn, and its soft copies are removed, preventing further distribution and study of the controversial material.
• Who is affected: Class 8 students, teachers, NCERT officials, and the judiciary are directly affected by this controversy and its resolution.

NCERT's Unconditional Apology

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an unconditional and unqualified apology for publishing a contentious chapter on judicial corruption in a Class 8 textbook.

This action comes a day before the Supreme Court's scheduled hearing in a suo motu case regarding the chapter's content.

Supreme Court Intervention

On February 26, the Supreme Court issued show-cause notices to the NCERT Director and the Secretary of the School Education Department for potential contempt proceedings.

The Court also directed a ban on the textbook's circulation and the removal of its digital versions, expressing serious concerns about the chapter's contents.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant previously voiced dissatisfaction with NCERT's initial response, deeming it inadequate. He stated that "heads must roll" and requested the government to provide the names of the officials involved in the chapter's creation.

Withdrawal of the Textbook

Following the Supreme Court's directives, NCERT issued a press release on March 10, 2026, offering an "unconditional and unqualified apology."

 

"The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said Chapter IV. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available."

 

The chapter in question was Chapter IV, titled "The Role of Judiciary in our Society," featured in the social science textbook "Exploring Society: India and Beyond" for Grade 8 (Part II).

What to Watch Next

The Supreme Court will hold a hearing on the suo motu case tomorrow. It remains to be seen what further actions the court will take following NCERT's apology and the withdrawal of the textbook.