New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed strong displeasure over a controversial chapter in a Class 8 Social Science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, directing that accountability be fixed for the lapse. The issue relates to a chapter that referenced corruption within the judiciary, which triggered sharp reactions from the country’s top court.
The controversy came into focus after the Supreme Court of India criticised the inclusion of such content in a middle school curriculum, observing that it undermined public confidence in the justice system. The Prime Minister questioned how students at the Class 8 level could be expected to engage with sensitive themes like judicial corruption and sought clarity on who approved the material.
Following the court’s intervention, NCERT issued an unconditional apology and withdrew the textbook from circulation. The council also confirmed that the curriculum would be revised and rewritten to address the concerns raised. The book in question, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II, had been released only days earlier before being taken down from official platforms and distribution channels.
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, described the chapter as an affront to the dignity and integrity of the judiciary. The court stressed the need for responsibility in curriculum design and indicated that such references, especially without adequate context, could mislead young minds.
In response, the Ministry of Education assured corrective action and accepted responsibility for the oversight. The episode has prompted a broader review of textbook approval processes to ensure that educational content remains age appropriate, balanced, and institutionally respectful.
The development has also reignited debate around academic freedom versus institutional sensitivity in school education. While critical thinking remains a key objective of modern curricula, authorities have underlined that it must be introduced in a manner suitable to students’ maturity levels.
With the revised edition now in progress, the government has signalled that stricter checks will be enforced going forward to prevent similar controversies and to maintain public trust in both educational institutions and constitutional bodies.
