The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered an immediate halt on the circulation of a Class 8 social science textbook that contains a chapter on “corruption in the judiciary”, directing that all physical copies be seized and digital versions taken down without delay. The court instructed the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), in coordination with the Union and state education departments, to ensure the book is removed from public access at once. The matter is scheduled to be taken up again next month.
"It shall be personal responsibility of NCERT Director and the principal of every school where the book has reached to effectuate immediate seizure and sealing of all copies of the book in their premises and submit a compliance report. Ensure that no instruction is imparted based on the subject book. Principal Secretaries of all states are to comply. Compliance to be sent within 2 weeks,” noted the apex court in its order. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said any further production or distribution of the book would amount to a wilful breach of its order.
The Supreme court order further noted, "As an abundant precaution, a complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication, reprinting or digital dissemination of the book. Any attempt to circumvent this order through electronic means or altered titles shall be seen as direct interference, willful breach and defiance of directions."
The apex court also issued show-cause notices to the NCERT director and the Secretary of the Department of School Education, asking them to explain why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
The matter arose in connection with a February 2026 publication titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond. According to the bench, the chapter dealing with the role of the judiciary placed undue emphasis on complaints against judges and alleged inaction, while failing to adequately discuss the institution’s contribution to upholding constitutional morality, safeguarding the basic structure doctrine, ensuring legal aid and securing access to justice.
In its written order, the court said it was “shocked” upon reading media reports about the contents of the book. On a prima facie assessment, it observed that the material, read together with the administrative response issued by the NCERT director, suggested “a calculated move to undermine the institutional authority and demean the dignity of the judiciary”.
A day earlier, the bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, had described the inclusion of the chapter as a “calculated move” and even a “deep-rooted conspiracy” to malign the judiciary. “We have seen the NCERT notice, and there is not a simple word of apology in it. The way this director has drafted this notice, there seems no remorse but justification… It seems to be a deep-rooted conspiracy,” the bench remarked in court.
Although the Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, tendered an apology and NCERT had earlier expressed regret over what it termed “inappropriate material”, the court said the response lacked genuine contrition.
When informed that two individuals involved in drafting the chapter would no longer be associated with the ministry, the bench dismissed the step as inadequate. It termed the action “very light”, adding: “They have fired the gunshot and the judiciary is bleeding today. The judges say their morale is down and people are talking about it.”
The judges stressed that the issue extended beyond students. “The teachers will first know that ‘the entire judiciary is corrupt’… then parents will learn it. It is a deep-rooted conspiracy to malign the judiciary,” the bench observed. Referring to excerpts already circulating online, it added: “We expect the government to issue takedown orders. The State will have to take that responsibility.”
At the same time, the court clarified that its intervention was not intended to “stifle any legitimate critique”. However, it said exposing children “in their formative years” to what it described as a “biased narrative” could create lasting misconceptions.
Given the “serious consequences” and the potential “everlasting impact on independence and autonomy of judiciary”, the bench held that the conduct in question may fall within the ambit of criminal contempt, as it appeared to scandalise the institution and interfere with the administration of justice.
The court has also directed the NCERT director to disclose the names and qualifications of members of the National Syllabi Board involved in drafting the chapter, along with the original minutes of meetings at which the content was deliberated.
