The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has withdrawn its Class 8 Social Science textbook after a chapter discussing corruption and challenges in the judiciary sparked controversy and drew strong reactions from the Supreme Court.
The education body also issued an “unconditional and unqualified apology”, confirming that the book will no longer be available in print or digital formats.
The textbook titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part II)” included a chapter called “The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society.”
What Triggered the Controversy
The controversy began after the chapter discussed several challenges faced by the Indian judiciary, including corruption, shortage of judges, complex legal procedures, and a massive backlog of cases.
The references to corruption within the judicial system sparked criticism and legal scrutiny, with concerns raised about how the topic was presented to school students.
Following the controversy, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue and questioned the inclusion of such content in the school textbook.
Supreme Court’s Strong Reaction
The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the content and ordered immediate action. The court directed authorities to withdraw the book and stop its circulation, including the removal of digital versions.
The court also emphasised that such references could harm public confidence in the judiciary if not addressed properly.
NCERT Issues Public Apology
In response to the controversy, NCERT released a public statement apologising for the chapter and acknowledging that certain “inappropriate textual material” had been included due to an error in judgement.
The organisation confirmed that the entire book has been withdrawn from circulation and will not be used in schools until corrections are made.
What Happens Next
Education authorities are expected to review the content and make necessary revisions before any updated version of the textbook is published.
Officials have also indicated that steps will be taken to ensure similar issues do not arise in future educational materials.