New Delhi, Feb 26 — The Supreme Court of India on Thursday imposed a blanket ban on a Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook containing a chapter on alleged “corruption in the judiciary”, ordering the immediate seizure of all physical copies and removal of its digital versions, calling the publication a “deep-rooted conspiracy to malign the Judiciary”.
A three-judge Bench led by Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, rejected an apology issued by the National Council of Educational Research and Training and issued contempt of court notices to the Secretary of School Education and the NCERT Director.
The Bench directed NCERT, in coordination with Union and State education departments, to ensure that all copies of the first edition of the Class 8 textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond—whether stored, sold, or used in schools—are seized and removed from public access. It also ordered the immediate takedown of all digital versions.
“We would like to have a deeper probe. It’s my duty as the head of the institution to find out who is responsible; heads must roll,” the Chief Justice said.
The court, which had taken suo motu cognisance of the issue on Wednesday, sought complete records relating to the preparation and finalisation of the controversial chapter, including the names of all individuals involved. The Bench directed officials to file compliance affidavits within two weeks and posted the matter for further hearing on March 11.
Warning against non-compliance, the court said, “Any attempt to circumvent this order through electronic means or altered titles shall be seen as direct interference, willful breach and defiance of the directions issued by this court.”
In strong observations, the Bench said the narrative in the textbook appeared to be a calculated attempt to undermine the institution. “It seems to us that there is a calculated move to demean the dignity of the judiciary. This is a deep-rooted conspiracy. If allowed to go unchecked, it will erode the sanctity of judicial office in the estimation of the public at large and within impressionable minds of youth,” it said.
Appearing for the Centre, Tushar Mehta told the court that 32 copies that had reached the market were withdrawn and that the entire book would be revisited. He also said the two individuals involved in drafting the chapters would not be engaged by NCERT, UGC, or any ministry in the future.
Responding sharply, the Chief Justice said, “That will be very easy then and they go scot-free. They fired the gunshot; the judiciary is bleeding today.”
The Bench noted that while the book devoted an entire chapter to the judiciary, it ignored the institution’s constitutional role and its contribution to preserving democratic values. “The text washes away the illustrious history of the Supreme Court, High Courts and trial courts and omits the role played by the institution in upholding the basic structure doctrine,” it said.
The court also found fault with the narrative’s omissions. “The silence is particularly egregious when this court has held high-ranking officials guilty of corruption, misuse of public office or diversion of funds. The choice of words and expressions may not be simpliciter inadvertent or a bona fide error,” the Bench observed.
At the same time, the court clarified that the proceedings were not intended to silence fair criticism. “We do not propose these proceedings to stifle legitimate critique or scrutiny of the judiciary. Rigorous discourse strengthens the living vitality of the institution,” it said.
The Bench acknowledged the role of the mainstream media, saying it had played a constructive role in bringing the issue to public attention. It added that judicial intervention was necessary to protect the integrity of education. “It is improper to expose students at this age to biased narratives that lead to fundamental misconceptions about how the judiciary functions,” the court said.