NCERT Issues Public Apology, Withdraws Class 8 Book
NCERT apologised and withdrew a Class 8 Social Science textbook after the Supreme Court raised concerns over references to 'judicial corruption' in a chapter on the judiciary
March 10, 2026 – The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Tuesday (March 10) issued an unconditional public apology over the inclusion of a controversial chapter on the judiciary in the Class 8 Social Science textbook.
A press statement issued by NCERT read, "The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently published a social science textbook 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond' Grade 8 (Part-II) which contained Chapter IV titled 'The Role of Judiciary in our Society'. 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 The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available."
"NCERT sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused and appreciates the understanding of all stakeholders," the statement read.
This apology comes a day before the Supreme Court is to begin hearing a suo moto case on this matter, on March 11.
The Supreme Court had on February 26 issued showcase notices under the Contempt of Courts Act to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Director Dr Dinesh Prasad and to the Secretary, Department of School Education, in the NCERT Class 8 textbook case. The country’s apex court had asked why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them or those behind the offending section of the book.
A three-member Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi was hearing the suo moto case and had expressed strong displeasure over a mention of “judicial corruption” in chapter "The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society" of the book titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond for Grade 8 (Part 2).
The Court had banned the book in India and abroad and ordered that all copies be seized as also all digital versions be taken down immediately.
Also read: The Judiciary-NCERT Row: Decoding Accountability & Ethics
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