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NCERT Revises SC-Banned Class 8 Social Science Textbook on Judiciary

The Supreme Court-banned NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook has been revised and cleared by an expert committee. Final approval is expected after a syllabus committee meeting, with printing to begin shortly. The textbook was banned in March over a chapter on corruption in the judiciary, leading NCERT to issue an unconditional apology. NCERT has also reconstituted its 20-member National Syllabus Committee, removing three members amid the controversy.

Key Points: NCERT Revises SC-Banned Class 8 Textbook

  • Supreme Court banned NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook over judiciary chapter
  • Revised version cleared by expert committee
  • Final approval pending syllabus committee meeting
  • New edition expected within a week
  • NCERT reconstituted 20-member syllabus committee
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SC-banned NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook revised, likely to be released within a week

NCERT has revised the Class 8 Social Science textbook banned by the Supreme Court over a chapter on judiciary corruption. New edition expected within a week.

"The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology... The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available - NCERT statement"

New Delhi, May 5

The Class 8 Social Science textbook of the National Council of Educational Research and Training, which was earlier banned by the Supreme Court of India over a chapter referring to corruption in the judiciary, has now been revised and is expected to be released within a week, sources in the Ministry of Education said.

The revised book has received clearance from an expert committee constituted by NCERT to review the contentious chapter on the judiciary. A final approval is expected after a meeting of the NCERT syllabus committee.

"The revised book has been approved by the expert panel. There is a syllabus committee meeting by the NCERT, which will give final clearance. Printing is expected to begin later this week," a source told ANI.

The development comes amid concerns over delays in the availability of NCERT textbooks, which have begun affecting students as the academic session started on April 1.

Printing of the revised edition is expected to commence shortly, and the book could be available in the market within a week.

The NCERT had withdrawn the Class 8 Social Science textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part II), in March following directions from the Supreme Court, which imposed a blanket ban on its publication, reprinting, and digital circulation.

The court had termed portions of the chapter on the judiciary as "offending" and made strong observations, stating that the content had caused damage to the institution.

Subsequently, NCERT issued an unconditional apology, stating that the chapter titled "The Role of Judiciary in Our Society" contained inappropriate content. "The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology... The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available," the statement read.

In a series of directions, the apex court had also asked the Centre to constitute an expert panel to finalise curriculum content related to legal studies in school textbooks and had cautioned against the spread of misleading material on social media.

Following this, the Centre informed the court that a committee of domain experts had been set up to rewrite the chapter on the judiciary.

Separately, NCERT has reconstituted a 20-member National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC) to oversee curriculum design for Classes 8 and above. The revamped panel includes members from leading institutions such as IIT Madras, the Indian Council of Historical Research, and the National Law School of India University.

New members include V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras; Raghuvendra Tanwar, Chairman of ICHR; former NLSIU Vice-Chancellor R Venkata Rao; and Amarendra Prasad Behera of NCERT's Central Institute of Educational Technology. Three earlier members -- Michel Danino, Bibek Debroy, and M D Srinivas -- have been removed following the controversy.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a parent, I'm relieved. My daughter is in 8th standard and we were worried about the delay in getting textbooks. Now with the revised version coming soon, at least the academic year won't be completely disrupted. Hope the new chapter is balanced and age-appropriate for children.
R
Rajesh Q
Interesting that they removed Bibek Debroy and Michel Danino from the syllabus committee. These are respected scholars. While I agree the chapter needed correction, the court should focus on deciding cases, not micromanaging textbook content. Let educators do their job!
K
Kavya N
Finally some sensible action! The earlier textbook was clearly biased and trying to sensationalize issues. Our judiciary has its flaws but teaching children to disrespect the system at such a young age is wrong. Hope the new version teaches critical thinking without being negative about institutions. 🇮🇳
M
Michael C
This is why India's education system needs more oversight. NCERT should have vetted the content before publishing. The Supreme Court was right to step in - some of that content could genuinely harm students' understanding of democracy. Good to see the revised version coming quickly.
V
Varun X
While I understand the need for accuracy, banning an entire book over a single chapter seems extreme. Why not just remove the offending chapter and reprint the rest? Students have suffered because of this delay. Also, why remove Bibek Debroy? He's done excellent work. Arre yaar, politics ruins everything.

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