NCERT Withdraws Controversial Class 8 Social Science Textbook

The NCERT has decided to withdraw a controversial Class 8 social science textbook titled "Exploring Society: India and Beyond" following backlash over a chapter discussing the judiciary's challenges. The chapter's content sparked debates about the judiciary's integrity, prompting the Supreme Court to intervene and ban the book. NCERT has publicly apologized for the oversight and is expected to provide further updates regarding the curriculum for the next academic session. This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of educational materials in India.

By Sourabh Singh Mar 10, 2026, 12:22 IST

NCERT's Decision to Withdraw Textbook

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently opted to retract a Class 8 social science textbook named "Exploring Society: India and Beyond" and has issued a public apology regarding a contentious chapter. This action follows significant backlash concerning the chapter titled "The Role of Judiciary in Our Society."

Chapter IV of the textbook addressed various challenges confronting the judiciary, including corruption, an overwhelming backlog of cases, and a lack of judges, among other sensitive topics. The detailed examination of these issues ignited discussions about the judiciary's integrity and led to widespread controversy.

In a press release, NCERT acknowledged that the chapter contained "inappropriate textual content and an authorization error," which was inadvertently included in the publication. The Council emphasized that it never intended to tarnish the reputation of any constitutional body and expressed sincere regret for the oversight.

Supreme Court's Intervention

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance.

It is important to note that the Supreme Court, acting on its own initiative, made strong statements indicating that any material that harms the reputation of constitutional institutions like the judiciary is intolerable. The Court effectively prohibited the book and mandated the retrieval of all copies, with a further hearing set for March 11.

NCERT's Response to the Backlash

Responding to the Controversy

In light of the situation, NCERT remarked, "We regret the inconvenience caused and appreciate the understanding of all stakeholders."

This decision emerges during a period of heightened scrutiny regarding school textbooks and their representation of constitutional institutions. Education specialists point out that NCERT textbooks are utilized in both central and state government-affiliated schools throughout India, meaning any modifications or omissions in chapters affect a wide range of students and educators.

Further details are anticipated from the Council concerning the revised curriculum for the upcoming academic year.