The Supreme Court has taken decisive action against NCERT, banning a Class 8 textbook chapter that allegedly spreads misinformation about corruption in the judiciary. In a February 26 hearing, Chief Justice Suryakant’s bench condemned the material as a malicious campaign, ordering its removal from circulation ahead of the March 11 follow-up.
Senior counsels Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi flagged the problematic section, arguing it instills distrust in schoolchildren toward the courts. ‘As stewards of the institution, we can’t allow this,’ Sibal urged, spotlighting risks to societal faith in justice delivery.
Responding, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta conveyed NCERT’s regrets and outlined measures: penalizing the two drafters and recalling 32 market copies. The bench retorted sharply, insisting mere individual accountability falls short for what it deemed an institutional assault. ‘They’ve wounded the judiciary; easy punishment lets them off,’ CJI observed.
Drawing on constitutional ethos, the Chief Justice elaborated how such content disrupts the equilibrium among governance branches, potentially fostering cynicism among future generations. The court vowed a rigorous inquiry into the publication’s origins.
NCERT pledged to excise the chapter and issue a corrected edition. This ruling not only neutralizes immediate harm but signals strong judicial oversight on educational materials, ensuring they promote balanced, factual learning without prejudice.