The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued a public apology and withdrawn a recently released Class 8 Social Science textbook following controversy over a chapter discussing the judiciary. The council acknowledged that the book contained inappropriate content and described its inclusion as an “error of judgement.”

In a statement, NCERT said it “sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused” and assured stakeholders that corrective steps were being taken. The controversial book titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond – Grade 8 (Part II)” has now been removed from circulation.

The move comes after the chapter triggered sharp criticism from the legal community and the judiciary.

Controversial Chapter on the Judiciary

The dispute centred on Chapter 4 titled “The Role of Judiciary in Our Society.” The chapter discussed various challenges faced by the judicial system, including corruption, shortage of judges, infrastructure problems, and a massive backlog of pending cases in Indian courts.

The section mentioned that millions of cases remain pending in courts and that such issues can affect public trust in the justice system. However, critics argued that presenting these issues in a school textbook without proper context could create a negative perception of the judiciary among young students.

The references to “corruption in the judiciary” became the main point of contention.

Supreme Court’s Strong Reaction

The controversy escalated when the Supreme Court of India took serious note of the content and initiated proceedings regarding the textbook. The court strongly criticised the inclusion of the controversial material and ordered the seizure of copies of the book.

During hearings, the court expressed concern that such content could damage public confidence in the judiciary. The Chief Justice reportedly described the issue as extremely serious and warned that no institution should be allowed to defame the judiciary.

The court also issued notices to NCERT officials seeking explanations over how the chapter was approved and published.

Government and Education Ministry Response

Following the controversy, the Union Education Ministry and NCERT moved quickly to address the issue. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed regret over the incident and promised accountability.

NCERT said the inclusion of the controversial content was unintentional and that the organisation holds the judiciary in the highest regard. It also announced that the chapter would be rewritten with expert consultation before being included in any future edition of the textbook.

Officials added that steps would be taken to review the textbook approval process to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Wider Debate on School Curriculum

The incident has sparked a broader debate about how complex topics such as governance and institutions should be taught in school textbooks. Some education experts argue that students should learn about real challenges in institutions to develop critical thinking.

Others, however, believe that such sensitive issues should be presented with greater care and context to avoid misunderstandings among young learners.

The controversy has also reignited discussions about textbook revisions and the process used by educational authorities to approve new academic material.

What Happens Next

With the textbook now withdrawn, NCERT has indicated that a revised version will be prepared after consultations with experts and relevant authorities. The council has assured that the new content will maintain academic accuracy while respecting institutional integrity.

For now, the controversy highlights the delicate balance between education, transparency, and the responsibility of presenting sensitive institutional issues to students.