From ‘corruption’ reference to contempt notice: Why Supreme Court banned NCERT’s Class 8 book

NCERT is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, established in 1961 to enhance the quality of school education.

• Supreme Court bans NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook
• Book's chapter on judicial corruption sparks controversy
• NCERT chairman faces contempt notice; Centre promises inquiry

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The revised Class 8 Social Science textbook released by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has triggered a major controversy, prompting intervention by the Supreme Court.

The court on Thursday imposed a blanket ban on the reprinting and digital circulation of this book, which contains a chapter titled “The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society” referring to “corruption” in the judiciary.

Terming the matter a “deep-rooted conspiracy against the judiciary”, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the immediate seizure of all copies currently in circulation, seeking compliance reports within two weeks. “It is fundamentally wrong to expose students to biased misconceptions at this tender age,” the CJI said.

The CJI also issued a contempt notice to the NCERT chairman, Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani, and the Secretary of School Education.

What does the book say?

The new chapter discussed key challenges facing the judicial system, such as alleged corruption at different levels, a shortage of judges, complex legal procedures, and inadequate infrastructure — factors it says have contributed to mounting case pendency.

Citing data, it notes that nearly 81,000 cases are pending before the Supreme Court, about 62.4 lakh in High Courts, and close to 4.7 crore in district and subordinate courts.

Who writes NCERT books?

NCERT is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, established in 1961 to enhance the quality of school education.

NCERT textbooks are not authored by a single individual. They are prepared through institutional bodies called Textbook Development Committees (TDCs).

These committees generally comprise university professors, subject experts, teachers, experts in pedagogy and chief advisors and members of the NCERT faculty.

Why did the top court ban the book?

On February 25, the Chief Justice strongly objected to media reports highlighting that the NCERT new Class 8 Social Science textbook contains a section referring to “corruption in the judiciary.” The CJI said he “will not allow anyone on earth to play with the integrity or defame the institution”.

What does the Centre say?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has assured full compliance with the court's directions. He also promised an inquiry, and said action would be taken against those responsible.

“We respect the judiciary, and whatever the court has said, we will fully comply with it. I am deeply saddened by what has happened and express my regret over the incident,” he told PTI.

Congress backs SC ban

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh called for an investigation into what he described as the RSS's "vile and malice-driven work" over the past decade.

In a post on X, Ramesh stated that the top cour reaction to the NCERT textbooks issue is justified but argued that the way NCERT textbooks have been rewritten over the past decade is shameful.

"The Supreme Court's outrage over the critical references to the judiciary in NCERT textbooks is justified. In fact, the way NCERT textbooks have been rewritten over the past decade is shameful. This is the vile and malice-driven work of the RSS. In reality, this entire gang should be investigated," he said.