Supreme Court to Centre, States: Disassociate from Authors of NCERT Textbook

The Supreme Court today 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.

"This order shall be subject to their approaching this court for modification with explanation. Govt of India should also revisit composition of NSTC specially those to whom offending chapter was shown", CJI Surya Kant clarified further.

The Court further noted today 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 also comprising Justices Bagchi and Pancholi added.

Supreme Court today took up the contempt proceedings initiated by it 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.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench today that the Centre has already instructed the NCERT to review all books in its curriculum.

On the composition of the committee to undertake such review, the Supreme Court directed today, "Ordinarily, it is advisable if such committee is comprising different domain experts. If NCERT wishes to teach next generation about judiciary, we find that not a single eminent jurist has been included in the committee. We however leave it to competent authority. We direct that if at all chapter IV has been re-written, same shall not be published unless it is approved by a committee of domain experts. Government of India to constitute the committee which may preferably include 1 former senior judge, 1 eminent academician and 1 renowned practitioner of law."

CJI Kant has also clarified that the court's directions are not intended to prevent any healthy and legitimate criticism of institutional functioning of judiciary. If judiciary like any other institution is suffering from deficiencies, and expert committee highlights them, it would be a welcome step for future generations, he said.

Recently, 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).

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 has 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 appeared 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 clarified that it does not intend to stifle legitimate criticism or scrutiny of institutions and reiterated that dissent and rigorous public discourse are vital to a living democracy. However, it underscored that students in their formative years cannot be exposed to a biased narrative that may engender lasting misconceptions. The book, the Court noted, inevitably travels beyond classrooms to parents and the broader public.

Observing that such misconduct, if deliberate, could fall within the ambit of criminal contempt for interfering with the administration of justice and scandalising the institution, the Bench questioned whether the apology issued by NCERT through a press release was genuine or merely an attempt to avoid consequences after irreversible damage.

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 and Vipul M. Pancholi

Hearing Date: March 11, 2026