NCERT Textbook Row: Authors Seek Opportunity To Explain Their Stance Before Supreme Court

The three authors, who the Supreme Court had asked to be disassociated by the Centre and State governments for writing a chapter on corruption in judiciary in the Class 8 Social Science textbook of the NCERT, appeared before the court today through their advocates, seeking an opportunity of hearing.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan appeared for Alok Prasanna Kumar. "We want to show what process was followed..they are not fly by night authors. They are respected", he told court. Senior Advocate Arvind Datar appeared for Prof Michael Danino. Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak appeared for Suparna Diwakar. Deepak told court that the decision of designing the syllabus was a collective process and no individual had a sole say in it.

"Affidavits have been filed by the three authors on who were referred in our order dated March 11 where certain directions were issued. These applications are not listed today. After curing of defects let them be listed..," CJI Kant went on to order.

Court was further informed today by ASG KM Nataraj that compliance affidavit had been filed on behalf of the Centre. "A three member committee comprising Justice Indu Malhotra, Senior Advocate KK Venugopal and Mr Prakash Singh Vice Chancellor of Garhwal University have been appointed. The committee shall collaborate with NJA Bhopal to finalise the curriculum of class 8 and higher grades in compliance with NCERT syllabus dealing with legal studies. NCERT has also issued notification on April 2 whereby a high powered committee for preparation of national syllabus and teacher learning committee has been reconstituted. 20 distinguished members including Mr. MC Pant being the Chairman has been constituted. We take both the orders/notification on record as well as compliance affidavit," the bench also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted.

Last Month, Supreme Court had been informed that an Expert Committee is being constituted by the Central Government to review the NCERT's controversial chapter on judicial corruption.

Recently, Supreme Court had initiated contempt proceedings in connection with an NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook containing a chapter on “corruption in judiciary”. Taking suo motu cognisance of the contents, the Court had issued show cause notices to senior education officials and ordered an immediate nationwide withdrawal of the book from all physical and digital platforms.

The bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice J. Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, had directed immediate withdrawal of all physical and digital copies of the book Exploring Society: India and Beyond, First Edition (Part II). It had further directed the Government of India and all state governments to disassociate from the three authors of the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook containing a chapter on “corruption in judiciary” and not to assign any responsibility to them which involves public funds.

The Court further noted that it had no reason to doubt that the three authors, Prof. Micheal Danino and his associates Ms. Suparna Diwakar and Mr Alok Prasanna either did not have informed knowledge on Indian judiciary or they deliberately misrepresented the facts in order to project image of Indian judiciary before students of 8th class who are of impressionable age. "We see no reason why these kinds of persons be associated in any manner for purpose of preparation of curriculum or finalization of textbook for next generation", the bench added.

Earlier, court had 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.

It noted that the chapter incorporated 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.

The Court directed NCERT, in coordination with Union and State education authorities, to ensure immediate removal of all copies from retail outlets, schools and digital platforms. The Director, NCERT, has been made responsible for seizure of distributed copies and filing a compliance report. Principal Secretaries of Education Departments across States have been directed to file compliance reports within two weeks. Court also 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.

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 Part2 Published by NCERT and Ancillary Issues

Bench: CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi

Hearing Date: April 6, 2026