Amid the ongoing row over the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) book, the Center on Thursday issued an apology as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta of the Supreme Court tendered an unqualified and unconditional apology on behalf of the education ministry.
The Director of NCERT and Secretary School Education were asked to explain why action was not taken as the Supreme Court issued a show cause notice.
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The dispute began after the Supreme Court raised objections to a chapter in a class 8 NCERT social science textbook which had a section on “corruption in the judiciary”. While the bench on Wednesday said it “regrets inclusion of inappropriate material” in the chapter titled ‘Role of Judiciary in Our Society’, the Supreme Court came down heavily on NCERT with Chief Justice of India Suwira Kant saying “there appears to be a deep-rooted and well-planned conspiracy to defame the judiciary,” the news agency reported. PTI I mentioned.
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“It is my duty to find out who is responsible; heads should roll,” CJI Kant was quoted as saying, as the court said it may order removal of excerpts from the NCERT book. “No one will be allowed to go unpunished,” the CJI said.
NCERT issues apology
NCRT also issued an apology and withdrew the distribution of a newly released Class 8 social science textbook that had sparked controversy after “inappropriate textual material and lapse in judgement” were found in a chapter related to judiciary.
While facing a backlash, the bench made it clear that it held the judiciary in the highest esteem and viewed it as a supporter of the Indian Constitution and a protector of fundamental rights.
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“The said error is completely unintentional and NCERT regrets the inclusion of inappropriate material in the said chapter,” the board said in a statement.
The NCERT said that the social science textbook, “Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Volume II” for Class VIII, was released on February 24, 2026. However, on receipt of the textbook, it was observed that some inappropriate text material and an error in judgment had inadvertently crept into Chapter No. 4, titled “The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society” (pages 125-142).
The Department of School Education and Literacy (Ministry of Education) also made a similar observation and directed to keep the distribution of this book strictly suspended till further orders. The same has been adhered to, NCERT said. PTI I mentioned.
NCERT is “trying” to recover the 38 sold copies of the book in a row
The National News Agency quoted sources at the Ministry of Education as saying that the center is trying to recover 38 copies of the controversial social sciences book that was sold.
Of the 2.25 lakh copies printed, only 38 copies were sold while 2,24,962 copies remained in stock, the report said, adding that while all the unsold copies were withdrawn back to the NCERT warehouse.
