NEW DELHI: In a significant move, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an “unconditional and unqualified apology” and withdrawn a controversial chapter from a newly published social science textbook for Class 8. The chapter titled “The Role of Judiciary in our Society” contained allegations of "corruption in the judiciary," prompting backlash from the Supreme Court and leading to its immediate withdrawal from circulation.

The NCERT, in a statement released on X, emphasized their commitment to maintaining high educational standards but acknowledged that inappropriate content had "inadvertently crept into" the chapter. The textbook, "Exploring Society: India and Beyond,” was launched just two weeks prior, on February 23. However, less than 24 hours later, it faced backlash, culminating in a complete ban on its publication and dissemination by the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed grave concern over the matter, labeling the content a “calculated move to undermine and demean the dignity of the judiciary.” He warned that accountability must be established, stating, “If there is more than one responsible, heads must roll.” The Chief Justice's firm stance has drawn attention to the need for oversight in educational materials, especially those passed to impressionable young students.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who expressed deep dismay over the situation, called for immediate action to identify those responsible for the chapter's content. During Cabinet discussions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also questioned the rationale behind including such sensitive issues in textbooks for Class 8 students. He directed Pradhan to ensure accountability and demanded clarity on the measures in place to govern textbook content.

Following public outrage and scrutiny, the NCERT confirmed that the chapter would be rewritten to align with appropriate educational standards before the next academic session. This episode raises critical questions about oversight in curriculum development, emphasizing the need for responsible educational practices.