The new ninth-grade textbook describes the judiciary as a “neutral and independent institution” that protects the rights of citizens and upholds the spirit of the Constitution. In a section titled “Separation of Powers” in a chapter on democracy, the textbook highlights that the judiciary hears cases of public interest “from time to time to ensure access to justice for all.”
The new textbook talks about the various functions of the judiciary, noting that the judiciary reviews executive actions and constitutional amendments, can invalidate unconstitutional laws, “upholds the constitution,” and “plays a vital role in protecting and promoting democratic values and the rights of all segments of society.”
Also Read: NCERT Class 9 book adds emergencies and drops preamble and secularism
In the previous Political Science book of NCERT Class 9, the judiciary was discussed in the chapter on working of institutions as part of Indian constitutional design. Students are taught that an “independent and strong judiciary” is essential to democracy and that the courts must remain free from the control of the executive and legislative branches. The chapter explained that judges do not act under government directives, highlighted safeguards in judicial appointments and removals, and described the role of the judiciary in resolving disputes and checking arbitrary exercise of power.
In February, a controversy erupted over a Class 8 Social Sciences Part II textbook prepared by NCERT which included a section on “Corruption in the Judiciary” in one of its chapters. After the Supreme Court intervened, the physical and digital copies of the textbook were removed, and NCERT also issued an apology.
On March 11, the Supreme Court ordered the Centre, states, union territories and educational institutions to part ways with three experts — Michel Danino, Subarna Diwakar and Alok Prasanna Kumar — involved in preparing the chapter. However, on May 22, the court modified this order, accepting the experts’ explanation that the textbook was a collective practice and that there was no intention to portray the judiciary in a negative light.
In the wake of the controversy, the Education Ministry on March 16 constituted a supervisory committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra, and former Attorney General KK Venugopal and Vice Chancellor Prakash Singh as members. The Center also participated with the President of the National Judicial Academy in reviewing the curriculum for the eighth and higher grades. Separately, NCERT reconstituted the National Curriculum and Teaching Materials Committee (NSTC) to oversee the development of curricula and textbooks for grades 3 to 12, revising its terms of reference to give NCERT formal authority to approve, publish and distribute textbooks.
A new social science textbook for ninth grade was prepared before the controversy erupted.
