TheNational Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)has apologised and pulled a newly releasedClass 8 Social Science textbookafter strong objections from the Supreme Court of India over a chapter that discussed “corruption in the judiciary.” The chapter, part ofExploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II, included references to challenges facing India’s judicial system such as case backlogs, judge shortages and concerns about public confidence — including mentions of corruption.
The Supreme Court tooksuo motu cognisanceof the content following representations by senior advocates, with Chief JusticeSurya Kantemphasising that no attempt should be made to defame or undermine the integrity of the judiciary. The Council immediately halted distribution and removed the book from circulation, stating that the inclusion of inappropriate text was an “error of judgement” and “purely unintentional.” It added that it “holds the judiciary in the highest esteem” and aims to strengthen constitutional literacy and respect among students.
NCERT said the contentious chapter will be rewritten in consultation with appropriate authorities and republished for the2026‑27 academic session. The decision has sparked discussions about how institutions are portrayed in educational material and the processes for reviewing school curriculum content.
