-1772083949130_m.webp)
NCERT Class 8th Textbook: Within a week of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) releasing a new Class 8 social science textbook, which contained a chapter titled "Role of Judiciary in Our Society" that talked about the pendency of court cases due to shortage of judges and lack of infrastructure, the council termed it a mistake and decided to rewrite the chapter in the book after consulting the appropriate authorities.
Late last night on February 25, NCERT said in a statement on X, "It has been observed that some incorrect text and errors in judgment have inadvertently crept into Chapter No. 4, titled 'Role of Judiciary in Our Society' (pages 125-142)."
Is the NCERT Apology Enough to Restore Institutional Trust?
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued a formal apology, describing the inclusion of judicial corruption in the Class 8 curriculum as a "purely unintentional" error of judgment. The Council emphasized that it holds the judiciary in the highest esteem as the protector of fundamental rights.
To rectify this, the NCERT has committed to a complete rewrite of the chapter in consultation with appropriate authorities, ensuring the revised version is ready for the 2026-27 academic session.
Will the Controversial Content Be Dropped Entirely?
While the sales of the textbook were halted within 24 hours of release, high-level discussions are now underway to determine which sections will be permanently removed. The current version had introduced unprecedented details regarding the "code of conduct" for judges and cited that over 1,600 complaints were lodged against judicial officers via the CPGRAMS portal between 2017 and 2021.
The council aims to shift the focus back to constitutional literacy without diminishing the authority of the courts.
Key Statistics from the Disputed Chapter:
The following data was highlighted in the original chapter, "The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society," regarding the burden on the Indian legal system:
Court Level | Approximate Pending Cases |
Supreme Court | 81,000 |
High Courts | 62,40,000 |
District and Subordinate Courts | 4,70,00,000 |
Official Stance and Accountability:
The NCERT reiterated its objective to foster institutional respect among students. Officials confirmed that despite the printing of over 2 lakh copies, the distribution was frozen almost immediately following the Supreme Court's "suo motu" observation. The textbook will now undergo a "continuous review process" to ensure that the sanctity of constitutional bodies is maintained in future editions.
NCERT Class 8th Textbook Row: What happened and why does it matter?
The Class 8 textbook, released on February 24, 2026, contained Chapter 4 titled "The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society," which discussed structural challenges facing India's judicial system. One section highlighted corruption and the massive case backlog. This was illustrated by statistics such as the millions of pending cases in courts.
Soon after the textbook was released, senior lawyers, including A.M. Singhvi and Kapil Sibal, expressed concern that its content could damage public confidence in the judiciary and was not suitable for Class 8 students. The matter was brought before the Apex Court, where Chief Justice Surya Kant stated that he "would not allow anyone to defame the institution" and strongly objected to the specific mention of corruption.
The court registered the case suo motu, with a bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi overseeing the proceedings.
In response to the court's observation, NCERT immediately removed the book from sale and its website and imposed a complete ban on distribution. A senior official described the inclusion of the material as an "error of judgment" and "completely unintentional," and stressed that NCERT respects the judiciary as the guardian of the Constitution.
SC criticised the NCERT For Portraying Judicial Corruption:
On Thursday, February 26th, a Supreme Court bench headed by CJI Surya Kant addressed a new chapter in the Class 8 NCERT textbook, which highlighted judicial corruption, excessive backlogs, and a lack of transparency, but omitted any mention of the judiciary's protective role.
The court called this "insulting and negligent," accepted NCERT's unconditional apology and promise to rewrite the material, but ordered an accountability investigation and the removal of the digital version. Only 32 physical copies were released, and NCERT, admitting its "erroneous decision," stopped distribution.