Suo motu case on NCERT chapter on judiciary: LIVE UPDATES from Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is hearing a suo motu case initiated by it about a portion of the class 8 Social Science textbook released by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on “corruption in judiciary.”

The book is reported to have a section on “corruption in the judiciary” as part of a chapter on “The role of the judiciary in our society."

The issue was mentioned by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal before a Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Wednesday, when the Court revealed that it has taken cognisance of the issue as well.

Meanwhile, the NCERT released a press note attributing the controversial portion of the textbook to an inadvertent error of judgment, adding that it is withdrawing the said portion of the book and would be rewriting it after proper consultation.

"Certain inappropriate textual material and error of judgement have inadvertently crept into Chapter No 4, entitled 'The Role of Judiciary in our Society' (pg 125-142). The Department of School Education & Literacy (Ministry of Education) also made a similar observation and directed that the distribution of this book may be kept on strict hold until further orders. The same has been complied with," the note issued last evening said.

Track this page for live updates from the Court hearing today.

Hearing begins

SG Mehta: In the Suo motu case, at the outset we tender an unconditional apology.

CJI Surya Kant: Our friends in media sent this notice. there is no word of apology in this.

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh: This is deliberate.

CJI Kant: It is our institutional duty to find out if it was published in the book or not... in the communication to the registrar general the authority was defending. This was a deep rooted conspiracy.

SG Mehta: The two individuals who prepared the two chapters will never work with UGC or any ministry

CJI Kant: That will be very easy then and they go scot-free... they fired the gunshot judiciary is bleeding today!

CJI Kant: When there is a mounting attack on us we know how we maintain balance. These copies are there in the market.

SG Mehta: 32 books went to the market and has been withdrawn. The entire book will be revisited. There is another part on case pendency and it says justice denied.

CJI Kant: It is a calculated move. The entire teaching community will be told is that Indian judiciary is corrupt and cases are pending... then students and then parents. This is a deep rooted conspiracy!

AM Singhvi: This is very selective.

Kapil Sibal: What about politicians and leaders. this book is in the pdf format.

Justice Bagchi: Some material is in digital domain and the view is extremely lopsided and no view on judiciary is a protector of fundamental fights... legal aid etc. Take down orders also has to be issued.

AM Singhvi: The online circulation is much more than hard copies.

CJI Kant: we would like to have a deeper probe. we need to find who is responsible and we will see who are there. Heads must roll! We will not close the case.

Kapil Sibal: Board members confirmed this.

SG Mehta: We stand by the institution. No one will get away scot free.

ORDER

CJI Kant: The framers of our constitution were profoundly conscious and took care that constitutional responsibilities are prescribed... legislature, judiciary and executive and so that they remain capable of performing with autonomy and preserve the democratic fabric of our nation. By acknowledging constitutionally described demarcations we were nearly shocked when a leading newspaper published an article regarding release of the social science textbook for grade (II) titled exploring society India and beyond first edition published in February 2026 by NCERT.

CJI Kant: A portion is titled "role of judiciary in our society" and it states "corruption in the judiciary", the inclusion of this within a foundational curriculum in our considered opinion warrants a rigorous review for the impact on the functioning of judiciary as a whole. We are reluctant to reproduce the chapter... but it prominently refers to hundreds of complaints received against judiciary indicating as if no action was taken and taking a few words from the speech of a former CJI suggesting that judiciary itself has acknowledged lack of transparency and institutional corruption. The article goes on to state that people experience various levels of corruption in the judiciary.

CJI Kant: In the wake of an article in the Indian express, on February 24, 2026, the secretary general of this court was asked to check if such a publication was asked to be released by NCERT. Instead of filing an introspection of what has been written in the book in an extremely contemptuous and reckless manner, the UGC director wrote back defending the contents.

CJI Kant: It seems to us that there is a calculated move to undermine the institutional authority and demean the dignity of the judiciary. This, if allowed to go unchecked will erode the sanctity of judicial office in estimation of public at large and within impressionable minds of youth.

CJI Kant: While the publication dedicates entire chapter on role of judiciary in our society, it washes away the illustrious history of SC, HC and trial courts, it is omitted and the role played by the institution towards preservation of democratic fabric, the text fails to recognize role of judiciary which upheld the basic structure doctrine.

CJI Kant: It seems to us that the narrative in the book tries to delve not in any transformative measures heralded by this court which includes legal aid mechanism and streamlining access to justice.

CJI Kant: The silence particularly is egregious since so many high ranking officers have been held by this court for corruption, misuse of public office or diversion of funds. It seems to us that the choice of words, expressions, in the book may not be simpliciter inadvertent or bona fide error. We hasten to add that we do not propose the Suo motu proceedings to stifle any legitimate critique or exercising right to scrutinise judiciary. We are of the firm conviction that rigorous discourse helps the living vitality of the institution.

CJI Kant: The necessity of judicial intervention is not from a desire to suppress criticism but to uphold the integrity of education. While students begin to navigate the nuances of public life and institutional architecture, it is improper to expose them to biased narrative at this kind of age which lead to fundamental misconceptions and thus refrain them from understanding the responsibility which judiciary work towards.

CJI Kant: The subject book shall not be confined to students only and the contents are bound to travel from teacher to students to parents, the society and the next generation.

CJI Kant: Given the serious consequences and an everlasting adverse impact on independence of judiciary... such a misconduct will fall within the purview of criminal contempt. If proved to be deliberate move it will undoubtedly lead to interfering with administration of justice, besides scandalising the institution. We also take note of certain subsequent events... A notice has been published in media and a copy has been placed on record by SG... it is a press release by NCERT... as per the press release the Department of School Education, Ministry of Education has ordered that distribution of this book is halted.

CJI Kant: An apology has also been tendered through this press release. While the question as to whether the apology has been tendered genuinely or its merely a way to wriggle out of the consequences when a substantial irreversible damage is done is a question we will consider at an appropriate stage. We issue show cause notice to the secretary to the department of school education, and to Dr Dinesh Prasad... as to why suitable action either under contempt of courts act or any other law should not be initiated against them or those who are behind the offending chapters.

CJI Kant: The NCERT in coordination with Union and State education departments is directed to ensure that all copies of the book, hard copy or soft copy, whether held in retail outlets or schools is removed from public access. Must be removed from all physical and digital platforms immediately. A compliance report to be filed. It will be the responsibility of director NCERT to effectuate immediate seizure of all such books sent to the premises of such schools and submit a compliance report. We direct that no instruction is imparted based on the physical or digital copy of the subject book. Principal secretaries of Department of Education of all states are directed to comply with directions issued here in and submit compliance report within 2 weeks.

CJI Kant: As an abundant caution we also impose a blanket ban on production and distribution of the book. Any attempt to distribute this book either physically or digitally shall be taken as a willful breach of the order of this court. NCERT director is directed to submit member names of the National Syllabi board who wrote the offending chapter. The specific names and credentials shall be furnished. The original minutes of meetings of the part wherein the offending chapter was deliberated and finalised shall be produced on the next date of hearing.

SG Mehta: We will ensure that an unconditional apology is also published.

CJI Kant: List this after four weeks. After reports are produced we will constitute a group which will go through this... and we will see who is responsible... I have got hundreds ad hundreds of calls... they urged me to take action... I had passed a detailed administrative order even before Mr Sibal mentioned it.

SCBA President: Let SCBA also be impleaded.

CJI Kant: We are thankful to the media.. they highlighted this.

SG Mehta: Mainstream media is always responsible... there are tabloids and virtual platforms whose main idea is to blackmail etc.