NCERT Apologizes for Controversial Judicial Corruption Chapter

NCERT has issued a public apology and withdrawn a Class 8 social science textbook after facing criticism from the Supreme Court for a chapter on judicial corruption. The Court imposed a ban on further publication. The government promised action against those responsible for the content.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) issued a public apology on Tuesday concerning a controversial chapter on judicial corruption found in a Class 8 social science textbook. The apology came after the Supreme Court expressed discontent over the chapter, resulting in the textbook's withdrawal.

The textbook, titled 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond,' attracted Supreme Court attention for its statements on judicial corruption, massive case backlog, and a shortfall in the number of judges. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, emphasized that the judiciary's reputation must remain untarnished.

The Court imposed a 'complete blanket ban' on any further dissemination of the book, whether printed or digital, due to its 'offending' content. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan vowed to hold accountable those behind the chapter's inclusion, aiming to protect the judiciary's integrity.

(With inputs from agencies.)