New Delhi’s legal corridors are buzzing as the Supreme Court prepares for a crucial hearing on Thursday over a controversial chapter in the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook. Titled ‘Corruption in the Judiciary,’ the section has sparked outrage, prompting the apex court to take suo motu cognizance.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi will deliberate the matter. The controversy erupted after senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and Mukul Rohatgi raised it before the CJI on Wednesday. Expressing strong displeasure, CJI Suryakant declared that no one, regardless of stature, would be allowed to tarnish the judiciary’s image.
‘I have always fulfilled my duties as the head of this institution,’ the CJI stated firmly. ‘I will not permit anyone to defame the judiciary at any cost. The law will take its course, and I know how to handle this. I am taking suo motu cognizance.’
The issue stems from NCERT’s release of the new Class 8 textbook on February 24. The offending chapter appeared without prior scrutiny, leading to immediate backlash. In response, NCERT issued an apology, halted distribution, and committed to revising the content.
The School Education and Literacy Department swiftly ordered a hold on supplies until further notice. NCERT complied, acknowledging the unintentional error in a statement. ‘There was no intent to undermine any institution’s dignity,’ it said, promising a rewritten chapter after expert consultations for the 2026-27 academic session.
This episode underscores the sensitivity surrounding educational content on governmental institutions. As the Supreme Court hearing approaches, all eyes are on how the judiciary will safeguard its reputation while ensuring curriculum accuracy. NCERT’s pledge to prevent future lapses offers some reassurance, but the debate on content vetting in textbooks rages on.