NCERT Apologizes to Supreme Court Over Textbook Controversy

New Delhi, March 10, 2026 — In a significant development following a high-profile institutional standoff, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an “unconditional and unqualified” public apology for a controversial chapter in its Class 8 Social Science textbook. The apology, released on March 10, 2026, comes just 24 hours before a scheduled hearing in the Supreme Court regarding a suo motu case titled “In Re: Social Science Textbook for Grade–8 (Part-2) published by NCERT.”

The controversy centers on Chapter IV of the textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond, titled “The Role of Judiciary in our Society.” The chapter contained a sub-section discussing “corruption in the judiciary” alongside systemic challenges like case backlogs and judge vacancies.

The Anatomy of the Controversy

The legal storm began in late February 2026, when the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the textbook’s contents. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, expressed “shock” and profound displeasure over the narrative presented to young students.

Key points of contention included:

• Selective Criticism: The court noted that while the textbook highlighted corruption within the judiciary, it reportedly omitted similar discussions regarding the executive or legislative branches.
• Pedagogical Impact: The bench observed that exposing “impressionable minds” to such a “biased narrative” at a formative stage could cause “irreversible damage” to the public’s trust in the judicial institution.
• Constitutional Omissions: CJI Kant remarked that the text failed to adequately highlight the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional morality and the Basic Structure doctrine.

“Heads Must Roll”: The Court’s Hardline Stance

During the previous hearing on February 26, the apex court rejected an initial “statement of regret” from the NCERT, calling it inadequate. The court then issued show-cause notices for contempt to the NCERT Director and the Secretary of the Department of School Education.

The bench was particularly vocal about accountability, with the CJI stating, “If there is more than one [person responsible], heads must roll. I am not going to close these proceedings until I am satisfied.” The government, represented by the Solicitor General, subsequently assured the court that the individuals involved in drafting the chapter would be barred from future ministerial or educational projects.

NCERT’s Full Retreat

In its latest press release, the NCERT has moved from “regret” to a complete surrender of its earlier position. The Council stated:

“The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said Chapter IV. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available.”

The NCERT further clarified that its objective is to strengthen “constitutional literacy” and that the inclusion of the offending material was “purely unintentional.” To ensure compliance with the court’s “blanket ban,” the Council has:

1. Withdrawn all physical and digital copies of the textbook.
2. Removed all related content from its official website.
3. Directed school principals and state education departments to seize any remaining copies in circulation.

What Lies Ahead?

The Supreme Court is set to resume the hearing on March 11, 2026. While the NCERT has complied with the demand for a public apology and book withdrawal, the court will still determine whether the apology is a “genuine purge of contempt” or merely a strategic move to evade legal consequences.

The Council has committed to rewriting the chapter in consultation with “appropriate authorities” for the 2026–27 academic session, ensuring that the revised text aligns with the high esteem in which the judiciary is held under the Indian Constitution.