Breaking| "Deep Rooted Conspiracy": Supreme Court Orders Nationwide Ban And Seizure Of NCERT Class 8 Textbook Over "Corruption In Judiciary" Chapter
The Court said that if this is allowed to go unchecked, it will erode the sanctity of judicial office in the estimation of the public at large and within the impressionable minds of youth.
The Supreme Court, today, has escalated its response to the controversial Class 8 Social Science textbook by issuing a show-cause notice for contempt to the Secretary of School Education, Ministry of Education and the Director of NCERT while imposing a "complete blanket ban" on the publication.
The books allegedly highlight "corruption in the judiciary" and "massive backlogs" as primary challenges facing the Indian legal system.
The Court took suo motu cognizance of the matter on February 25, 2026, after Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned the issue before the Bench and expressed that the legal community is "deeply disturbed" by the fact that young students are being taught that the judiciary is a corrupt body.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi ordered, "We issue show casue notice to Secretary, Department of Education and Ministery of Education, Government of India... to show cause as to why proceedings under the contempt of court in accordance with law, may not not be initiated against them for those who are responsible for introducing the offending chapter in this subject...The NCERT, in coordination with the Union and the State Education Departments ot any other Government, to ensure that all the copies of the book currently in circulation, whether held in storage, in retail outlets or educational institutions, are immediately seized and removed from public access. Union of India and its agencies will ensure that the book, in physical and digital form, will be removed immediately without any delay and complaince affidavit shall be placed on record...As an abundant precaution, a complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication, printing or digital dissemination of the book."
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for NCERT, while Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Dr Abhishek Manu Singhavi, and Vikas Singh appeared for the other side.
The Court ordered, "While the publication dedicates entire chapter on role of judiciary in our society, it washes away the illustrious history of Supreme Court, High Courts and trial courts, it is omitted and the role played by the institution towards preservation of democratic fabric, the text fails to recognize role of judiciary which upheld the basic structure doctrine...it seems to us that the narrative in the book tries to delve not in any transformative measures heralded by this court which includes legal aid mechanism and streamlining access to justice. The silence, particularly, is egregious since so many high-ranking officers have been held by this court for corruption, misuse of public office or diversion of funds. It seems to us that the choice of words and expressions in the book may not be simpliciter inadvertent or bona fide error. We hasten to add that we do not propose the suo motu proceedings to stifle any legitimate critique or exercising right to scrutinise the judiciary. We are of the firm conviction that rigorous discourse helps the living vitality of the institution."
"At the outset, we tender an unconditional apology. The Secretary of the School Education is here", Mehta submitted.
Chief Justice replied, "There is not a single word of apology in their notice...someone sent to me...the manner in which this Director has attempted to compound...I asked the Secretary General to find out whether such a publication infact took place... a very responsible newspaper had published, still...there's a deep-rooted conspiracy."
Solicitor General said, "The two individuals who prepared the two chapters will never work with UGC or any ministry."
Chief Justice said, "That will be very easy then, and they go scotfree. They fired the gunshot judiciary is bleeding today."
Chief Justice remarked, "When there is a mounting attack on us, we know how to maintain balance. These copies are available in the market."
Mehta said, "Thirty-two books went to the market and has been withdrawn. The entire book will be revisited. there is another part on case pendency and it says justice denied."
Chief Justice sternly said, "It is a calculated move. The entire teaching community will be told that indian judiciary is corrupt and cases are pending...then students and then parents. This is a deep-rooted conspiracy."
Chief Justice further remarked, "We would like to have a deeper probe. As head of the judiciary, it's my duty to find out who is responsible. We will not close the probe until I am satisfied."
After the Supreme Court has expressed displeasure with the contents of the Chapter, the NCERT issued a press release on February 25, 2026, which, while putting hold on the distribution of the book, said, "As per the extant procedure, NCERT brought out the Social Science textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II for Class 8 on 24-02-2026. On receiving the textbook, it has been observed that certain inappropriate textual material and error of judgement have inadvertently crept into Chapter No 4, entitled “The Role of Judiciary in our Society” (pg 125-142). The Department of School Education & Literacy (Ministry of Education) also made a similar observation and directed that the distribution of this book may be kept on strict hold until further orders. The same has been complied with."
It also said, "The National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) holds the judiciary in highest esteem and considers it to be the upholder of the Indian Constitution and protector of Fundamental Rights. The aforesaid error is purely unintentional and NCERT regrets the inclusion of inappropriate material in the said chapter...NCERT reiterates that the objective of the new textbooks is to strengthen constitutional literacy, institutional respect, and informed understanding of democratic participation amongst students. There is no intent to question or diminish the authority of any constitutional body. As part of its continuous review process, NCERT remains open to constructive feedback. And hence, the same shall be re-written, with consultation of the appropriate authority, as necessary, and would be made available to students of Class 8 accordingly on the commencement of academic session 2026-27."
"NCERT, once again, regrets this error of judgement and apologizes while re-iterating our resolve to continuously work for institutional sanctity and respect", the Press Note said.
Regarding the Press Release, the Court said that while the question of whether the apology is tendered genuinely in order to avoid the prima facie contempt, a substantial and irreversible damage has already been done.
The Court ordered, "The necessity of judicial intervention is not from a desire to suppress critcism but to uphold the integrity of education. While students begin to navigate the nuances of public life and institutional architectutre, it is improper to expose them to biased narrative at this kind of age which lead to fundamental misconceptions and thus refrain them from understanding the responsibility which judiciary work towards...The subject book shall not be confined to students only and the contents are bound to travel from teacher to students to parents, the society and the next generation."
The CJI noted that the textbook mentions hundreds of complaints against judges and uses quotes from a former CJI to suggest a lack of institutional transparency. The Court finds this narrative "contemptuous and reckless," especially since the Director of the UGC initially defended the content instead of reflecting on its impact. The Bench observes that the book ignores the illustrious history of the Supreme Court and High Courts, failing to mention their role in protecting the "basic structure doctrine" and providing legal aid.
The Court also ordered that the Director of NCERT must submit the names and credentials of the National Syllabi Board members who wrote the chapter, along with the original minutes of the meetings where the content was finalized.
Cause Title: In Re Social Science Textbook For Grade 8 Part 2 Published By NCERT and Ancillary Issues [SMW(C) No. 1/2026]