The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has withdrawn its Class 8 social science textbook “Exploring Society: India and Beyond” (Part II) after a chapter on the judiciary sparked controversy and drew criticism from the Supreme Court of India.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, March 10, follows a suo motu intervention by the Supreme Court, which raised concerns that the content could undermine public confidence in the judiciary. NCERT issued an unconditional apology and halted the distribution of the textbook nationwide.
For schools in Guwahati and across Assam, the withdrawal means that institutions following the NCERT curriculum may need to temporarily adjust classroom teaching material until revised textbooks or instructions are issued.
NCERT has withdrawn its Class 8 social science textbook “Exploring Society: India and Beyond” (Part II) after a chapter discussing corruption in the judiciary triggered criticism from the Supreme Court of India. The council issued an unconditional apology and stopped distribution of the book nationwide while the matter continues to be reviewed by the court.
Chapter on Judiciary Sparked Controversy
The controversy centers on Chapter IV titled “The Role of Judiciary in our Society.”
The chapter reportedly contained references to corruption within the judiciary, which the Supreme Court said could damage public trust in the institution.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant stated that the integrity of the judiciary must not be tarnished and warned that individuals responsible for including the controversial content would be held accountable.
The court expressed concern that such material, if circulated widely among students, could influence perceptions of the judicial system.
Supreme Court Orders Immediate Action
The Supreme Court had earlier taken suo motu action, issuing a blanket ban on the textbook.
The court ordered:
- Seizure of all physical copies of the book
- Removal of digital versions
- Immediate halt to distribution nationwide
According to the court, unchecked circulation of the content could erode public confidence in the judicial system.
NCERT Issues Unconditional Apology
Following the court’s intervention, NCERT acknowledged the issue and withdrew the textbook.
In its official statement, the council said:
“National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently published a social science textbook ‘Exploring Society: India and Beyond’ Grade 8 (Part II) which contained Chapter IV titled ‘The Role of Judiciary in our Society’. The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said Chapter IV. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available.”
NCERT also admitted that “inappropriate textual material and an error of judgement” had inadvertently been included in the chapter.
Government Response in the Supreme Court
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, also offered an unconditional apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
He told the court that the individuals responsible for including the controversial content would not be allowed to work with the University Grants Commission (UGC) or any ministry in the future.
However, the Chief Justice said the response was not adequate, remarking:
“They fired a gunshot, and the judiciary is bleeding today.”
Impact on Schools in Guwahati and Assam
Many schools in Guwahati and across Assam follow the NCERT curriculum for social science subjects, especially those affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
With the textbook now withdrawn, schools may temporarily rely on alternative teaching materials or guidance from education authorities until a revised edition is issued.
Teachers and school administrators are expected to wait for further instructions from NCERT and the Ministry of Education regarding updated content.
What Happens Next
The matter is scheduled for further hearing in the Supreme Court on March 11, where the court will continue reviewing the case and responsibility for the controversial material.
Meanwhile, NCERT is expected to revise or replace the withdrawn content before the textbook is reintroduced for classroom use.
For schools and students in Guwahati and across the country, the episode highlights the scrutiny educational material faces before being used in classrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did NCERT withdraw the Class 8 textbook?
NCERT withdrew the book after the Supreme Court raised concerns about a chapter discussing corruption in the judiciary. The court said the content could undermine public trust in the judicial system.
Will this affect schools in Guwahati?
Yes, schools in Guwahati that follow the NCERT curriculum may temporarily adjust teaching materials for Class 8 social science until revised textbooks or official guidance are issued.