The Supreme Court on Friday ordered immediate confiscation of physical copies and removal of digital copies of the controversial Class 8 social science textbook bearing a section on ‘Corruption in Judiciary’, and issued show-cause notices to the director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the secretary of the School Education Department, asking why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
The directions came a day after a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant described the inclusion of a section on “corruption in the judiciary” in the textbook as a “calculated move” and a “deep-rooted conspiracy” to malign the institution.
Despite the apology given by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in court and the earlier statement by NCERT expressing regret over the “inappropriate material”, the bench, also comprising Justices Joymalia Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, said the response lacked remorse and appeared to excuse the contents.
“We have seen the NCERT notice, and there is not a simple word of apology in it. The way this director has framed this notice, there does not seem to be remorse but justification… It appears to be a deep-rooted conspiracy,” the bench observed.
When the government announced that the two people involved in preparing the chapter would no longer be associated with the ministry, the council described it as a “very light measure.” The court said, “They fired bullets and the judiciary is bleeding today. The judges say their morale has decreased and people are talking about that.”
The bench emphasized that the issue is not limited to eighth grade students. “Teachers will first know that ‘the entire judiciary is corrupt’… then parents will know it. It is a deep-rooted conspiracy to discredit the judiciary,” the report said, adding that excerpts were circulating online. “We expect the government to issue removal orders. The state will have to bear this responsibility.”
In its written order, the court said it was “shocked” to read media reports about a February 2026 publication titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond”. She noted that the chapter, while discussing “the role of the judiciary in our society,” made prominent reference to complaints against judges and suggested inaction, without adequately highlighting the role of the judiciary in upholding constitutional morality, the principle of basic structure, legal aid, and access to justice.
After a prima facie examination, the court said that the content, read with the administrative response of the director defending him, indicated a “deliberate move to undermine institutional authority and degrade the dignity of the judiciary.”
While the court made clear that the actions were not intended to “stifle any legitimate criticism,” the panel held that exposing students “in their formative years” to a “biased narrative” could generate lasting misconceptions. Given the “serious consequences” and “lasting impact on the independence and independence of the judiciary”, the report said such conduct may fall within the definition of criminal contempt because it appears to scandalize the institution and interfere with the administration of justice.
The court directed NCERT, in coordination with the union and state education departments, to ensure that all physical and digital copies of the book are removed from public access immediately. It imposed a complete ban on the production and distribution of the book, warning that any attempt to circulate it would be tantamount to a deliberate violation of its regulations.
The NCERT Director has been asked to effect the seizure of all distributed copies and submit a compliance report. Chief Education Secretaries of all states have been directed to ensure that no instructions are given based on the book and report compliance within two weeks.
The director was also asked to provide the names and credentials of the National Curriculum Council members who drafted the chapter, as well as the original minutes of the meetings at which it was deliberated.
The matter will be heard again next month.
