Education Minister Pledges Probe and Action After NCERT Textbook Sparks Supreme Court Outcry

In Shorts

• Education Minister expresses regret and orders probe into controversial NCERT chapter.
• Supreme Court bans the disputed Class 8 textbook and issues strict directives.
• Government affirms respect for judiciary and promises action against those responsible.

New Delhi An escalating dispute over a Class 8 social science textbook has prompted the Union Education Ministry to promise a detailed inquiry and accountability for those behind the disputed content.

The controversy centers on a chapter that discussed issues such as corruption within the judicial system. The Supreme Court of India took serious exception to this content, describing it as damaging to the reputation of the judiciary and issuing a blanket ban on the book’s distribution. All physical and digital copies have been ordered seized, and show cause notices have been sent to key officials including the NCERT director.

Speaking to reporters, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said he was deeply upset by the situation and made it clear that the government holds the judiciary in the highest regard. He emphasised that there was no intention to undermine the authority of the courts and that the matter would be investigated thoroughly to ensure such lapses do not occur again.

Pradhan also confirmed that all individuals involved in drafting and approving the controversial section would face appropriate action. He noted that as soon as the government was alerted to the issue, the NCERT was instructed to halt the circulation of the textbook.

The Supreme Court’s strong reaction comes amid concerns over maintaining public confidence in constitutional institutions. The bench highlighted the severity of the issue and signalled that further examination into how the content was included will continue.

NCERT has already expressed regret for the inclusion of the contentious chapter and has agreed to revise the material after consultation with relevant authorities. The textbook row has triggered intense conversations on how curriculum content is reviewed and approved, with both education authorities and the judiciary closely watching the situation evolve.