Supreme Court Flags ‘Judicial Corruption’ Chapter; NCERT Pulls Class 8 Textbook
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) removed its new Class 8 social science textbook from its website after the Supreme Court of India raised objections to a chapter on “judicial corruption.” The court acted after finding the content objectionable. Sources told Press Trust of India (PTI) that NCERT plans to revise or delete the chapter in upcoming editions.
Bench Steps In on Sensitive Content
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi examined the textbook after senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi flagged the chapter. The judges emphasized that textbooks must not defame the judiciary or harm its credibility. Consequently, NCERT called internal meetings to review recommendations from the experts who drafted and approved the chapter.
Controversial Quote Sparks Debate
The chapter cited case backlog data, a shortage of judges, and a quote from former Chief Justice B R Gavai. Government sources said that the quote may have been taken out of context. Moreover, they noted that the Union Law Ministry had not verified the content. Officials added that discussions on corruption should include all three branches of government — the judiciary, legislature, and executive — to maintain balance and perspective.
NCERT Reviews Chapter Ahead of Revision
NCERT now reviews the chapter with guidance from subject experts. Officials emphasized that although the council is autonomous, it must exercise caution when handling sensitive topics. The final decision on deletion or revision should come soon. This episode has reignited debate on how schools should teach accountability while respecting constitutional institutions. In addition, it underscores the importance of ensuring accurate and contextually correct content for students.
