Narendra Modi Slams NCERT Textbook; Dharmendra Pradhan Assures Accountability

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Thursday that steps would be taken against individuals responsible for the inclusion of judicial corruption in an NCERT textbook, following concerns raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding a significant oversight. Modi reportedly expressed discontent over the reference to corruption within the judiciary in the new NCERT Class VIII social science textbook, specifically questioning, “What are we teaching Class VIII children about judicial corruption?” during a Union Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

In response to the Supreme Court’s displeasure regarding the matter, NCERT has moved promptly by removing the e-version of the textbook from its website and is attempting to retrieve the 32 hard copies that had already been sold. Pradhan offered a full apology and underscored the importance of respecting the judicial system while committing to hold those responsible accountable for drafting the contentious chapter.

The controversy revolves around Chapter 4 titled “Role of the Judiciary in Our Society” in the latest social science textbook (Part 2) released by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This chapter, edited by Michel Danino and Alok Prasanna, identified judicial corruption, excessive case backlogs, and a shortage of judges as significant challenges confronting the judicial framework.

The situation intensified on Thursday when the Supreme Court declared that there seemed to be a “well-orchestrated conspiracy” aimed at defaming the judiciary, subsequently enacting a “blanket ban” on the NCERT book, which included directions for the confiscation of both physical and digital versions. In an official statement, NCERT clarified that the e-version of the textbook had not been uploaded online, while acknowledging that the 32 physical copies sold prior to distribution were noted by the solicitor general in court.

Regarding the tracking and retrieval of the already distributed books, a senior NCERT official stated, “Since all the books were sold through NCERT depots, they were monitored, and the majority have already been recalled.” The chapter is set to undergo a rewrite in collaboration with relevant authorities, aiming for availability in the 2026–27 academic year.

Responding to the Supreme Court’s remarks, Pradhan expressed his profound sadness over the incident, emphasizing that there had been no intention to disrespect the judiciary. He also noted that an inquiry would be launched to identify those accountable for the incident. Following the revelation of the issue, distribution of the textbooks was immediately suspended, with the government committed to adhering fully to the Supreme Court’s instructions.

In light of the Supreme Court’s firm declaration that it would permit “no one on earth” to compromise the integrity of the judiciary, NCERT has taken the initiative to remove the textbook from its website. The council publicly apologized for the presence of “inappropriate content” on Wednesday, stating that the chapter would be rewritten in consultation with appropriate authorities before its reintroduction, while also indicating that enhanced review protocols for future textbooks are being considered.

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