New Delhi: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has withdrawn a recently published Class 8 Social Science textbook following criticism over a chapter discussing the judiciary. The council also issued what it described as an “unconditional and unqualified apology” after concerns were raised about the content of the chapter.
In a statement shared publicly, NCERT confirmed that the textbook titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part II) has been completely withdrawn and is no longer available for circulation. The decision came after objections were raised regarding Chapter IV, which focused on the role of the judiciary in society.
The disputed section, titled “The Role of Judiciary in Our Society,” included a subsection addressing issues of corruption within the judicial system. Critics argued that the portrayal in the chapter was inappropriate for school-level learning material, sparking a broader debate over how sensitive institutions should be discussed in textbooks.
Responding to the controversy, the NCERT leadership stated that it deeply regrets the situation and apologised for any inconvenience or concern caused by the chapter. The council reiterated that it remains committed to ensuring that educational resources meet high standards of accuracy, responsibility and sensitivity.
The move to withdraw the book followed legal developments involving the Supreme Court of India. The court had earlier ordered a complete halt on further publication, printing or digital distribution of the textbook. The directive effectively barred any form of circulation of the material, including through electronic platforms or under alternative titles carrying the same content.
Following the court’s order, NCERT issued an advisory requesting individuals or organisations in possession of the book to return copies to its offices in New Delhi. The council also urged people who may have shared the controversial chapter online or on social media to remove it at the earliest.
In addition to the ban, the Supreme Court asked NCERT to provide detailed documentation related to the approval of the chapter. This includes information about the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that cleared the content, along with the names, qualifications and professional backgrounds of the experts involved in preparing the material.
The incident has reignited discussions about oversight and accountability in the development of school textbooks. Educational experts say the controversy highlights the importance of careful review processes, especially when dealing with topics involving key constitutional institutions.
NCERT, which is responsible for developing educational material used by millions of students across India, has said it will continue reviewing its procedures to ensure such issues are avoided in the future.
