New Delhi: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an “unconditional and unqualified apology” after controversy erupted over a chapter in a Class 8 Social Science textbook that referred to corruption within the judiciary. The apology comes just ahead of a hearing in the Supreme Court of India, which took suo motu cognisance of the matter and raised concerns over the content included in the book.
The controversial chapter appeared in the textbook “Exploring Society: India and Beyond” under a section discussing the role of the judiciary. Following strong objections from the apex court, NCERT announced that the textbook has been withdrawn from circulation, including its print and digital versions. The council stated that it deeply regrets the issue and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining accuracy, responsibility, and sensitivity in educational material used in schools.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued show-cause notices to NCERT officials and the School Education Department, questioning why action should not be taken over the publication of the content. The court also directed that the book should not be published, distributed, or uploaded online until further orders. The case is expected to be heard soon, with the court set to review the explanation submitted by NCERT.
