{"id":16618,"date":"2026-03-05T10:59:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T10:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=16618"},"modified":"2026-03-05T11:03:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T11:03:40","slug":"india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/","title":{"rendered":"India SC Bans NCERT Textbook Over Chapter on Judicial Corruption"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"supreme-court-objection-ncert-textbook\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supreme_Court_Objects_To_NCERT_Class_8_Textbook_Chapter_On_%E2%80%9CCorruption_In_Judiciary%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>Supreme Court Objects To NCERT Class 8 Textbook Chapter On \u201cCorruption In Judiciary\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed strong objection to the recently released Class 8 Social Science textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which included a chapter titled \u201cCorruption in Judiciary.\u201d A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi termed the publication a product of a \u201cdeep-rooted conspiracy\u201d and said those responsible must face the law.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/#Supreme_Court_Objects_To_NCERT_Class_8_Textbook_Chapter_On_%E2%80%9CCorruption_In_Judiciary%E2%80%9D\" >Supreme Court Objects To NCERT Class 8 Textbook Chapter On \u201cCorruption In Judiciary\u201d<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/#Bench_Calls_For_Deeper_Probe\" >Bench Calls For Deeper Probe<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/#Contempt_Notices_Issued\" >Contempt Notices Issued<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/#Court_Orders_Immediate_Removal_Of_Textbooks\" >Court Orders Immediate Removal Of Textbooks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/#Details_Sought_On_Authors_And_Meetings\" >Details Sought On Authors And Meetings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/#Court_Objects_To_NCERT_Directors_Defence\" >Court Objects To NCERT Director\u2019s Defence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/#Court_Criticises_Lopsided_Narrative_On_Judiciary\" >Court Criticises Lopsided Narrative On Judiciary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/#Court_Clarifies_It_Does_Not_Intend_To_Stifle_Legitimate_Criticism\" >Court Clarifies It Does Not Intend To Stifle Legitimate Criticism<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/india-sc-bans-ncert-textbook-over-chapter-on-judicial-corruption\/#Key_Actions_Directed_By_The_Court\" >Key Actions Directed By The Court<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bench-remarks-probe\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bench_Calls_For_Deeper_Probe\"><\/span>Bench Calls For Deeper Probe<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We would like to have a deeper probe. We need to find who is responsible and we will see who are there. Heads must roll! We will not close the case,&#8221; CJI Kant remarked during proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contempt-notices-issued\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contempt_Notices_Issued\"><\/span>Contempt Notices Issued<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Court issued notices under the Contempt of Courts Act to the Department of School Education and NCERT Director Dr Dinesh Prasad Saklani, asking them to explain why action should not be initiated against them or those responsible for the controversial chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"court-directions-remove-textbooks\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Court_Orders_Immediate_Removal_Of_Textbooks\"><\/span>Court Orders Immediate Removal Of Textbooks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, the Bench ordered that all copies of the textbook, whether physical or digital, be removed from public access immediately. The Court directed NCERT, in coordination with Union and State education departments, to ensure that all copies held in schools, retail outlets, or digital platforms be seized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A compliance report is to be submitted by the NCERT Director, while principal secretaries of State education departments are required to report compliance within two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"details-sought-authors-meetings\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Details_Sought_On_Authors_And_Meetings\"><\/span>Details Sought On Authors And Meetings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bench also demanded details of the National Syllabi Board members who authored the offending chapter, along with the minutes of meetings in which the content was deliberated and finalised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAny attempt to distribute this book either physically or digitally shall be taken as a willful breach of the order of this court,\u201d the Court said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"court-objection-ncert-director-response\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Court_Objects_To_NCERT_Directors_Defence\"><\/span>Court Objects To NCERT Director\u2019s Defence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Court expressed strong objection to the NCERT Director\u2019s communication defending the contents after the controversy came to light, noting that it appeared to be a calculated attempt to undermine the judiciary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It seems to us that there is a calculated move to undermine the institutional authority and demean the dignity of the judiciary. This, if allowed to go unchecked, will erode the sanctity of judicial office in the estimation of public at large and within the impressionable minds of youth,&#8221; the Bench stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"criticism-of-chapter-narrative\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Court_Criticises_Lopsided_Narrative_On_Judiciary\"><\/span>Court Criticises Lopsided Narrative On Judiciary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Court criticised the chapter for presenting a lopsided narrative on the judiciary, washing over its historic contributions and the role of Supreme Court, High Courts, and trial courts in upholding democratic principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe text fails to recognise the role of judiciary which upheld the basic structure doctrine. The silence is particularly egregious since so many high-ranking officers have been held accountable for corruption or misuse of public office,\u201d the Bench noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"court-clarification-legitimate-criticism\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Court_Clarifies_It_Does_Not_Intend_To_Stifle_Legitimate_Criticism\"><\/span>Court Clarifies It Does Not Intend To Stifle Legitimate Criticism<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Observing that the choice of words in the chapter appeared deliberate rather than inadvertent, the Court clarified that the proceedings were not intended to stifle legitimate critique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe do not propose these proceedings to stifle any legitimate critique or exercise of the right to scrutinise judiciary. Our intervention is to uphold the integrity of education and ensure students are not exposed to biased narratives that misrepresent the role of judiciary,\u201d the Bench said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"summary-court-actions\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Actions_Directed_By_The_Court\"><\/span>Key Actions Directed By The Court<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Action<\/th><th>Details<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Contempt Notices<\/td><td>Issued to Department of School Education and NCERT Director Dr Dinesh Prasad Saklani<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Textbook Removal<\/td><td>All physical and digital copies to be removed from public access<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Seizure Of Copies<\/td><td>Copies in schools, retail outlets, and digital platforms to be seized<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Compliance Report<\/td><td>NCERT Director to submit report; State education departments to comply within two weeks<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Author Details<\/td><td>Names of National Syllabi Board members and meeting minutes to be provided<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Distribution Ban<\/td><td>Any distribution of the book treated as a willful breach of court order<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>https:\/\/thelawreporters.com\/supreme-court-ncert-class-8-textbook-judiciary-corruption-row<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CJI Kant calls it a \u201cdeep-rooted conspiracy,\u201d issues contempt notice to NCERT director, orders removal of all copies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":975,"featured_media":16617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[3192,28],"class_list":{"0":"post-16618","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-education-law","8":"tag-education-law","9":"tag-top-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/india-sc.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/975"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16618"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16618\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}