TNI Bureau: A controversy surrounding a Class 8 Social Science textbook has prompted apologies from the National Council of Educational Research and Training and the Union Government after sharp observations by the Supreme Court of India over references to alleged corruption in the judiciary.

The apex court took serious note of a sub-chapter that discussed “corruption in the judiciary,” observing that such content could undermine public confidence in judicial institutions. The court issued show-cause notices to senior officials, including those involved in preparing and approving the material, and directed immediate steps to prevent further circulation of the disputed content.

Following the court’s intervention, NCERT acknowledged lapses in editorial oversight and expressed regret over the inclusion of the controversial passages. The council assured that the content would be reviewed and corrected in accordance with academic and institutional standards.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed regret over the episode, stating that there was no intention to cast aspersions on the judiciary. He assured that responsibility would be fixed after a proper inquiry and that corrective measures would be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Government sources indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed displeasure over the incident and emphasised the need for accountability. The Prime Minister is said to have stressed that institutions of governance must be treated with due respect, particularly in educational material meant for young students.

The incident has triggered a broader discussion on the responsibility of textbook authorities and the need for careful scrutiny of academic content. While corrective steps have been initiated, the matter remains under judicial consideration as the court seeks clear accountability for the lapse.