SC Flags NCERT Textbook Content, Education Minister Assures Action and Accountability

New Delhi | 26 Feb 2026 The Supreme Court of India has taken strong objection to controversial content found in a Class 8 NCERT textbook, which included a chapter on “corruption in judiciary.” Following the court’s intervention, the textbook has been banned, with orders for the immediate seizure of all physical copies and removal of its digital versions. Responding to the issue, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed regret and said, “accountability will be fixed” and action will be taken against those responsible. He stated that he was “very sad at what has happened” and clarified that there was “no intention to insult the judiciary.” Pradhan also said the Centre has “utmost respect” for the judiciary and assured that the Supreme Court’s directions would be followed fully. A day after taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the Supreme Court stressed that the responsibility lies with the State. “We expect the government to issue takedown orders. The State will have to take that responsibility,” the court said. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that the two individuals involved in drafting the chapter would no longer be associated with the ministry. However, the bench termed this response as “very light action.” The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, expressed serious concern over the impact of the content. “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 court observed. It added that the issue would not remain limited to students and would also influence teachers and parents, calling it a “deep-rooted conspiracy to malign the judiciary.” The apex court has now ordered a deeper probe into how the textbook was published. It noted that while the chapter highlights complaints against judges, it fails to properly explain the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional morality, the basic structure doctrine, legal aid, and access to justice. Emphasising strict accountability, the CJI said, “Heads must roll, I am not going to close these proceedings,” making it clear that the matter will be pursued until responsibility is clearly fixed. SC Flags NCERT Textbook Content, Education Minister Assures Action and Accountability The Supreme Court of India has raised serious concerns over certain content in a Class 8 NCERT textbook that talks about “corruption in judiciary.” The court ordered an immediate ban on the book and directed that all printed copies be seized and its digital version removed. The issue has sparked a strong debate on how sensitive subjects are handled in school education. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reacted to the matter with regret and assured action. He said “accountability will be fixed” and added that he was “very sad at what has happened.” The minister also made it clear that there was “no intention to insult the judiciary” and stressed that the government has “utmost respect” for the courts. The Supreme Court said the responsibility lies with the State and asked the Centre to act quickly. “We expect the government to issue takedown orders. The State will have to take that responsibility,” the court observed. When told that the people involved in drafting the chapter would be removed, the bench called it “very light action,” showing its dissatisfaction with the response. The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant took a tough stand on the issue. “They have fired the gunshot and the judiciary is bleeding today,” the court said, warning that such content affects students, teachers, and parents alike. Calling it a “deep-rooted conspiracy to malign the judiciary,” the CJI said, “Heads must roll, I am not going to close these proceedings,” and ordered a deeper probe into the matter.