New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday banned a new Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond.” The ban came after objections to a chapter that discussed corruption in the judiciary.
The chapter was part of “The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society.” The court said the content appeared biased and could harm the image of the judiciary, especially among young students.
Immediate Ban and Removal
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant ordered that the book’s printing, sale, and distribution must stop immediately. The court also directed authorities to collect all physical copies from schools and shops and remove digital versions from online platforms.
The court started a suo motu case to find out how the chapter was written and approved.
Notices Issued
The Supreme Court sent notices to the NCERT Director and the Secretary of the Department of School Education under the Ministry of Education. They have been asked to explain why action should not be taken against them for contempt of court.
State governments and school principals have been told to make sure the book is not used for teaching. A compliance report must be submitted within two weeks.
Court’s Concerns
The bench said it does not oppose fair criticism of institutions. However, it felt that the chapter mainly talked about corruption and pending cases while not properly explaining the important role of the judiciary in protecting the Constitution and citizens’ rights.
The court said such content could reduce public trust in the judiciary, especially among students aged 13–14.
Next Hearing
The Solicitor General offered an apology on behalf of the government, and NCERT expressed regret. However, the court said the response was not fully satisfactory.
The next hearing in the case will take place on March 11, 2026, after the Holi recess.
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