Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong displeasure over a controversial Class 8 NCERT Social Science chapter alleging “corruption in the judiciary,” calling for fixed accountability as per government sources. The Supreme Court banned the textbook, seized copies, and issued contempt notices, while NCERT apologized for the “unintentional error.”
Chapter’s Controversial Content
Chapter 4, “The Role of Judiciary in our Society,” highlighted judicial corruption, case backlogs (81,000 Supreme Court cases, 6M+ High Courts, 40M+ lower courts), judge shortages, and infrastructure gaps without balancing positive contributions like rights protection and legal aid. Critics called it one-sided and damaging to institutional trust.
Supreme Court’s Swift Action
CJI Suryakant condemned the material as “reckless and contemptuous,” demanding “heads must roll” and probing authorship. The court ordered nationwide seizure of physical/digital copies, takedown notices, and barred future involvement of implicated authors by the Education Ministry.
NCERT’s Response and Fallout
NCERT termed the inclusion “inadvertent,” regretting it undermined constitutional literacy goals, and committed to expert revision. No legal experts reviewed the chapter initially; the director’s defense drew further court ire amid viral PDF circulation.
PM Modi’s Intervention
Sources reveal Modi’s direct dissatisfaction prompted government action, aligning with vows for deeper probes. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured judicial integrity protection, emphasizing balanced education.
Broader Education Implications
This episode underscores curriculum oversight needs amid 2026 NEP reforms, reinforcing NCERT’s role in fostering institutional respect without eroding public confidence in pillars like judiciary.
