New Delhi : In a strong rebuke, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a complete ban on a Class 8 textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) that contained a chapter referring to corruption in the judiciary. The court directed authorities to immediately seize all printed copies and remove digital versions from circulation.
The apex court also instructed both central and state government authorities to ensure strict compliance with its order, warning that any violation or delay in implementing the directions would invite “serious consequences.”
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant issued show-cause notices to the NCERT Director and the School Education Secretary, seeking an explanation on why disciplinary action had not been taken against those responsible for including the controversial chapter.
“It is my duty to identify who is responsible. The guilty must be held accountable,” the Chief Justice observed during the hearing. The bench expressed deep concern over the content of the chapter and its potential impact on public perception of the judiciary.
The court remarked that the material appeared to undermine the institutional authority and dignity of the judicial system. “This appears to be a deliberate attempt to weaken the institution and tarnish the sanctity of the judiciary. If left unchecked, it could erode public confidence and negatively influence young minds,” the Chief Justice noted.
The bench indicated that it may order a formal inquiry to identify the officials responsible for approving and publishing the chapter. The court also expressed dissatisfaction with the response from NCERT, noting that its official communication lacked a clear apology and appeared to justify the inclusion of the material.
During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Ministry of Education, offered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of the government. However, the court stressed that an apology alone would not suffice and accountability must be fixed.
The court’s directive marks a significant intervention in academic content regulation, highlighting the judiciary’s concern over maintaining institutional integrity and public trust.
Officials have been asked to submit a detailed response explaining the circumstances under which the chapter was introduced, while authorities have begun steps to comply with the court’s order to withdraw the textbook from circulation.
