Controversy Erupts Over NCERT Textbook on Judicial Corruption

The controversy surrounding a chapter on judicial corruption in the NCERT Class 8 textbook has escalated, leading to strong reactions from the Supreme Court and the Education Minister. The Supreme Court has issued a show cause notice to relevant officials, expressing concern over the potential damage to the judiciary's reputation. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has assured that strict actions will be taken against those responsible for the content. This incident raises significant questions about the portrayal of the judiciary in educational materials and its implications for society.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 16:18 IST

Rising Controversy Over Judicial Corruption in NCERT Textbook

The debate surrounding the chapter titled 'Corruption in the Judiciary' in the Class 8 NCERT textbook has intensified. The Supreme Court has expressed strong discontent regarding this issue, prompting a significant response from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Education Minister's Response

While addressing the media in Jharkhand's Saraikela Kharsawan, Dharmendra Pradhan remarked that the inclusion of such statements about the judiciary in NCERT textbooks is concerning. He mentioned that a review of the textbooks was initiated as soon as the issue was raised. The minister expressed deep regret over the incident and assured that strict action would be taken against the responsible officials to prevent a recurrence of such errors in the future.

Supreme Court's Stern Remarks

The Supreme Court has issued a 'show cause notice' to the Education Secretary and the NCERT Director regarding the controversial content. During the hearing, the Chief Justice appeared particularly serious, suggesting that this seems to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the judiciary. Emotionally, the Chief Justice stated, 'Today, the judiciary is drenched in blood, and anyone can say anything.' The court has labeled this as an attempt to spread a misleading message throughout society via the entire education system.