PM Modi Flags NCERT Judiciary Row, Supreme Court Bans Textbook and Issues Show Cause to NCERT Director

A major controversy has erupted over a Class 8 Social Science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training after it included a chapter discussing “corruption in the judiciary.” The issue escalated to the highest levels of government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly expressing displeasure during a Cabinet meeting held earlier this week.

Sources indicated that the Prime Minister took serious note of the developments, especially after the matter reached the Supreme Court and triggered nationwide debate.

Education Minister Expresses Regret

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan publicly expressed regret over the controversy. He stated that there was no intention to insult the judiciary and described the situation as unfortunate.

The controversy revolves around a chapter that highlighted challenges within the judicial system, including corruption allegations, backlog of cases, and shortage of judges. The text also mentioned that judges are governed by a code of conduct that applies both inside and outside the courtroom.

Supreme Court Imposes Ban

The situation intensified after the Supreme Court of India imposed a complete ban on access to the concerned textbook containing the disputed chapter. The court also issued a show cause notice to the Secretary of the Department of School Education and to NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant made sharp observations, questioning the intent and process behind including such content in a school textbook. The bench reportedly remarked that presenting such themes to young students without adequate balance could create mistrust toward institutions.

Centre Tenders Unconditional Apology

Appearing before the court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that the Centre was tendering an unconditional apology in the matter. He also assured the court that individuals involved in drafting the controversial chapter would not be associated with the University Grants Commission (UGC) or any ministry in the future.

The Centre further stated that only 32 copies of the book had been sold before it was withdrawn from circulation.

However, the Chief Justice questioned the nature of the response, noting that the official communication did not explicitly contain a written apology.

What the Chapter Stated

The disputed chapter discussed issues such as case backlogs and access to justice. It cited approximate pending case figures, including around 81,000 cases in the Supreme Court, over 62 lakh in High Courts, and nearly 4.7 crore in district and subordinate courts.

The text also stated that corruption is experienced at various levels and that efforts are continuously being made at both State and Union levels to improve transparency and restore public trust through technology and stricter action against misconduct.

Larger Debate on Curriculum and Institutions

The episode has sparked a broader debate about how sensitive institutional issues should be addressed in school curricula. While some argue that students should be educated about real-world challenges in governance systems, others believe such topics require careful framing to avoid undermining public confidence in constitutional bodies.

With the book now withdrawn and the matter under judicial scrutiny, the future course will depend on further directions from the Supreme Court and possible revisions by NCERT. The controversy has once again brought attention to the delicate balance between academic content, institutional respect, and public perception.