“Unconditional Apology”: NCERT Withdraws Class 8 Textbook After Supreme Court Rap
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an unconditional apology and withdrawn a Class 8 social science textbook after the Supreme Court strongly objected to a chapter discussing alleged corruption and case backlogs in the judiciary.
The controversy relates to the book Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Grade 8, Part II), which included Chapter IV titled “The Role of Judiciary in Our Society.” Following the court’s remarks, NCERT confirmed that the entire book has been withdrawn from circulation and will no longer be available for distribution.
NCERT Issues Unconditional Apology
NCERT said that its Director and members have tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology for the chapter. The council acknowledged that the inclusion of the disputed content was inappropriate and assured that corrective steps had been taken immediately.
Officials also said that distribution of the textbook has been halted and the book is no longer available in the market. The council indicated that certain material had been included in the chapter due to an error of judgement, which led to the controversy.
Supreme Court Orders Ban and Seizure of Copies
The Supreme Court had earlier taken a serious view of the issue and imposed a blanket ban on the textbook. The court also ordered the seizure of all physical copies and directed authorities to ensure that digital versions are removed from circulation.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi directed NCERT to coordinate with the Union government and state education departments to ensure that every copy of the book currently in circulation is withdrawn.
The court said all copies of the textbook — whether in warehouses, retail outlets, or educational institutions — must be seized and removed from public access. Authorities have also been asked to file compliance reports confirming that the order has been implemented.
Responsibility Placed on Schools and Officials
The court placed direct responsibility on educational authorities to ensure immediate compliance with its directions.
According to the order, it will be the personal responsibility of the NCERT Director and school principals where the book has been distributed to ensure that all copies are seized and sealed without delay.
The bench also instructed schools to ensure that no classroom instruction is conducted using the withdrawn textbook. State education departments have been asked to oversee the process and submit confirmation that the book has been removed from circulation.
Principal secretaries of all states have also been directed to ensure strict implementation of the court’s instructions.
Controversial Chapter Triggered Strong Reaction
The issue began after reports highlighted that the Class 8 textbook included references to corruption and delays within the judiciary.
These references triggered strong remarks from the Chief Justice of India, who warned that such content could damage public confidence in the judicial system.
The court stressed that the integrity of the judiciary must be protected and said that those responsible for including the controversial material would be identified. The Chief Justice also indicated that strict accountability would be ensured if wrongdoing was established.
Government Responds to Court Concerns
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central government, conveyed an unconditional apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
He informed the court that two individuals associated with the controversial references would not be allowed to work with the University Grants Commission (UGC) or any government ministry in the future.
However, the court said that such steps alone might not be sufficient and emphasised that a deeper examination of the matter may still be necessary.
Debate Over Educational Content and Review
The episode has also sparked a broader discussion about the process of preparing and reviewing school textbooks in India.
Experts say that school curricula and textbooks play a crucial role in shaping students’ understanding of democratic institutions and governance. Because of this, educational material is expected to undergo careful review and scrutiny before publication.
The Supreme Court’s intervention highlights the importance of accuracy and sensitivity in educational content, particularly when it relates to key national institutions.
For now, NCERT has withdrawn the textbook and issued an apology, while authorities work to ensure that the controversial chapter is no longer in circulation.
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