CJI Surya Kant 'Thanks' Media For Timely Reporting Of NCERT Textbook Issue

The Chief Justice of India today thanked the media for highlighting the issue pertaining to an NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook containing a chapter on “corruption in judiciary” in public domain.

Notably, the Court has initiated contempt proceedings in connection with the NCERT textbook. Taking suo motu cognisance of the contents, the Court issued show cause notices to senior education officials and ordered an immediate nationwide withdrawal of the book from all physical and digital platforms.

As the matter came to a close today, CJI Kant said, "Sometimes some so-called small channels, indulge in these...but look at the other aspect. It is a responsible media that has brought in public domain. We are thankful to the friends in media, they have been.... in rarest of the rare occasion...one of the pillar of the democratic values....We appreciate their timely reporting otherwise damage would have been completely irreversible".

In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing before Court said, "The mainstream media is always responsible. It is the tabloids and others virtual platforms that create the problem."

In the case, a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, directed immediate withdrawal of all physical and digital copies of the book Exploring Society: India and Beyond, First Edition (Part II).

The Court also issued show cause notices to the Secretary, Department of School Education, and to Dr. Dinesh Prasad, asking why action under the Contempt of Courts Act or any other applicable law should not be initiated against them or those responsible for the “offending chapters”. Expressing strong disapproval in open court, the CJI observed that the framers of the Constitution crafted its provisions with precision to ensure that the three pillars of democracy function with autonomy within the democratic fabric. While acknowledging the constitutionally prescribed demarcation of powers, the Bench said it was “in shock” upon seeing reports about the textbook’s contents.

Court noted that the chapter incorporates a sub-topic explicitly expounding “corruption in judiciary” and held that inclusion of such subject matter in a foundational academic text warrants rigorous examination in view of the institutional standing of the judiciary. The Bench said it was reluctant to reproduce the contents but observed that the text refers to hundreds of complaints against the judiciary in a manner suggesting no action was taken and selectively extracts portions of a former CJI’s statement, creating an impression that the judiciary itself has acknowledged institutional corruption.

Prima facie, the Court recorded that the material appears to be a calculated move to undermine and demean the dignity of the judiciary. If left unchecked, it would erode the sanctity of judicial office in public estimation. The Bench further observed that while the chapter discusses the role of the judiciary, it omits the substantial contributions of the Supreme Court and High Courts towards preserving the democratic fabric, including initiatives in legal aid and access to justice.

The Court has imposed a complete ban on further production and circulation of the book, warning that any attempt to distribute it would amount to wilful breach of its order. It also directed the NCERT Director to furnish the names and credentials of members of the National Syllabi Board involved in drafting the chapter and to produce original minutes of the meetings in which it was deliberated and finalised. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that an unconditional apology would also be published and stated that the Centre was not taking an adversarial stand.

Notably, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on February 25, 2026, issued a press release stating that certain “inappropriate textual material” had inadvertently appeared in Chapter 4, titled The Role of Judiciary in our Society, in the newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II. Acting on observations made by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, NCERT said distribution of the book has been put on hold until further orders. The council described the inclusion as an unintentional error of judgment, expressed regret, and said the chapter would be rewritten in consultation with the appropriate authority before being made available to students in the 2026–27 academic session. NCERT reiterated that it holds the judiciary in the highest esteem and maintained that there was no intent to question or diminish the authority of any constitutional body.

Case Title: In Re: Social Science Textbook for Grade 8 Part 2 Published by NCERT and Ancillary Issues

Bench: CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi

Hearing Date: February 26, 2026