The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an urgent public recall of its Class 8 Social Science textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond – Part 2 after the Supreme Court of India imposed a complete blanket ban on its publication, printing, distribution and digital sharing. The ban was triggered by strong judicial objections to a chapter titled “The Role of Judiciary in Our Society”, which included references to alleged “corruption” and systemic challenges in the judiciary.
The Court described the inclusion as a possible attempt to undermine institutional credibility and issued show‑cause notices to NCERT officials, while the Union Ministry of Education has assured accountability. NCERT is now contacting buyers and recalling copies, directing the deletion of all related online content, and planning to rewrite the contentious chapter ahead of the next academic session.
Supreme Court Escalates Controversy; NCERT Moves to Retrieve Copies
On February 26, 2026, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the textbook’s contents and ordered a ban on all physical and digital copies of the Class 8 Social Science book, citing serious concerns over its portrayal of the judiciary.
Chief Justice Surya Kant underscored that “no one on earth would be permitted to defame the judiciary or taint its integrity,” and described the offending material as a calculated attempt to undermine the institution. The bench directed the immediate seizure of all copies, whether held by schools, individuals, retail outlets, or in NCERT’s inventory, and sought compliance reports within two weeks.
The Supreme Court also issued show‑cause notices to the NCERT Director and School Education Secretary, asking why action, including under the Contempt of Courts Act, should not be initiated against those responsible.
Following the apex court’s order, the Ministry of Education wrote to the Ministries of Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, instructing them to halt all digital dissemination of the textbook. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured that appropriate accountability would be fixed and that action would be taken against those involved in drafting the controversial content.
NCERT, in turn, issued an unusual public advisory asking students, parents, schools, booksellers and institutions to return any copies in their possession to its headquarters on Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi. According to senior officials, NCERT printed around 2.5 lakh copies, of which 38 were sold before distribution was stopped most of those are now being retrieved, with only a few remaining unreturned so far. Individuals are also being asked to delete any shared digital content related to the chapter “Role of Judiciary in Our Society.”
What Happened and What Comes Next
The controversy centres on Chapter 4 of the textbook, which contained a section under the heading “Corruption in the Judiciary” along with references to case backlogs, judge shortages, and procedural challenges in the country’s courts.
Although such issues are widely recognised in legal and academic discussions, the Supreme Court took serious exception to their inclusion in a school textbook aimed at 13-14‑year‑old students. The Court said the material could potentially erode public trust in the judiciary and referred to it as a “gunshot fired that made the institution bleed.”
NCERT has described the inclusion as an “error of judgement” and said it was “purely unintentional”, reiterating its respect for the judiciary as an institution. The council said the chapter will be rewritten in consultation with appropriate authorities and reissued for the 2026-27 academic session. A senior official emphasised that NCERT holds the judiciary “in the highest esteem” and that the mistake was inadvertent.
Education experts say that the controversy highlights the delicate balance required when introducing complex civic issues into school curricula. While students benefit from learning about democratic institutions and their challenges, the wording and context of such discussions especially regarding sensitive topics like corruption must be carefully framed to avoid misinterpretation or institutional offence.
Critics have also pointed out that educational material discussing institutional challenges is part of a healthy democracy, especially when backed by verifiable data. The judiciary itself is not immune to public discussion; for instance, official court statistics show substantial case backlogs across high courts and subordinate courts, a reality that legal scholars often cite in academic and policy debates. However, the apex court’s decision underscores the judiciary’s concern about how such topics are presented to young learners and the potential impact on public confidence.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The NCERT textbook recall and Supreme Court ban raise profound questions about education, democratic values, institutional respect, and free inquiry. On one hand, educational bodies must ensure that textbooks are accurate, balanced, and respectful of constitutional institutions.
On the other, exposing students to real challenges faced by democratic systems including judicial delays, accountability mechanisms, and institutional shortcomings is crucial for nurturing informed, critical thinkers. Suppressing or sanitising such discussions entirely risks leaving students less equipped to engage with civic realities.
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