The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is set to re-release its Class 8 Social Science textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Grade 8 (Part II), after revising a controversial chapter on the judiciary that had triggered legal scrutiny and widespread debate earlier this year. Sources told ANI on Monday that the revised textbook has received clearance from an expert committee constituted by the NCERT to review changes made to the chapter titled The Role of Judiciary in Our Society. The updated edition is expected to be released within a week, marking a significant development in the controversy that began in February over references to corruption in the judiciary and judicial delays.
The original textbook had been withdrawn nationwide after strong objections were raised regarding portions discussing complaints against judges, judicial corruption, and case backlogs. The issue escalated after a court took suo motu cognisance of the matter on February 25, shortly after the second part of the textbook was released on February 23. On February 26, the court directed authorities to immediately seize all physical copies and remove digital versions carrying the disputed content. Only 32 copies of the book had reportedly been sold before NCERT halted distribution on February 24. The court had observed that certain sections of the chapter could be interpreted as undermining the dignity and authority of the judiciary.
Following the court’s intervention, NCERT issued an unconditional apology over Chapter IV of the textbook and announced the withdrawal of the entire publication from circulation. In its statement, the council said: “The director and members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said Chapter IV.” The organisation also clarified that it was not opposed to criticism of institutions but objected to criticism presented in a biased or insensitive manner. The court had further noted that the chapter did not sufficiently highlight the judiciary’s role in protecting constitutional morality, legal aid, access to justice, and the basic structure doctrine, while placing disproportionate emphasis on judicial shortcomings.
NCERT, along with the Union and state education departments, subsequently coordinated the removal of the textbook from both physical and digital platforms and prohibited its further production and distribution. Authorities had also warned that any violation of the court’s directive could invite contempt proceedings. The council maintained that the revised chapter would be rewritten after consultations with appropriate authorities and educational experts to ensure greater balance, accuracy, and sensitivity. According to the latest update, the revised content has now been approved by the expert panel set up specifically for the review process, clearing the way for the textbook’s return to classrooms in the coming days.