Accountability in Focus After NCERT’s Judiciary Content Sparks National Debate
Prime Minister orders accountability after controversial NCERT judiciary content; Education Minister halts distribution and promises inquiry and corrective action.
The central government has moved to fix accountability and take action following a major controversy over a section in a class 8 social science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) that referred to “corruption in the judiciary.” The issue has escalated into a legal and administrative crisis involving the Suprme Court of India, the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Education.
What Sparked the Controversy
The flashpoint was Chapter 4 of the revised Class 8 textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond – Part 2, which included a subsection on corruption, case backlogs and other challenges faced by the judicial system. Senior lawyers brought the matter to the Supreme Court’s attention, arguing that it was inappropriate for students aged 13-14.
Supreme Court Takes Strong Exception
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant took suo motu notice of the matter, describing the content as a “deep-rooted, well-planned conspiracy” that could harm the judiciary’s reputation. The court ordered a blanket ban on the textbook’s circulation in all forms – physical and digital – and directed that all copies be seized or removed from public access.
Show-cause notices were also issued to the NCERT director and senior government educational officials, warning they could face action, including under the Contempt of Courts Act, for allowing the material to be published. The court demanded details on those involved in drafting and approving the chapter and sought the minutes of meetings where the content was finalised.
Goverment Response and PM’s Direction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong displeasure over how the contentious content was approved, questioning the oversight mechanisms that allowed it into a textbook for young students. He reportedly asked at a recent Cabinet meeting what message was being taught to Class 8 pupils and directed the Ministry of Education to fix accountability for the lapse.
Education Minister Vows Action
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan publicly acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating that the government holds the judiciary in the “highest esteem” and that there was no intention to disrespect the institution. He said that an inquiry would be conducted and those involved in drafting the contentious chapter would be identified and action taken.
Pradhan also confirmed that the textbook’s distribution was halted immediately after the controversy erupted and a inquiry lauched to understand how the material was included.
NCERT’s Action
NCERT apologised for the “inappropriate textual material,” describing its inclusion as an “error of judgement.” The council halted the book’s distribution, pulled the e-version from its website, and began recalling copies already sold. Officials said the chapter would be rewritten in consultation with relevant authorities and reissued ahead of the 2026-27 academic session following proper review.
