Is NCERT's Class VIII Textbook on Judicial Corruption Facing Removal? Here's What We Know!

The NCERT's Class VIII social science textbook, which includes controversial content on judicial corruption, is under review for potential removal by the government. Following objections from legal experts and a three-judge bench, the NCERT has pulled the book from its website. The textbook discusses various challenges within the judicial system, including corruption and case backlogs. As the government evaluates the situation, questions arise about the portrayal of the judiciary and the need for a balanced approach to teaching students about corruption. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 25, 2026, 17:20 IST

Controversy Surrounds NCERT's Class VIII Textbook

New Delhi: The government is reportedly considering the removal of contentious sections regarding judicial corruption from the NCERT's Class VIII social science textbook, following backlash over the content, as indicated by sources on Wednesday. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has also removed the book from its online platform.

A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, has taken notice of the 'objectionable' remarks concerning the judiciary found in NCERT textbooks after senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi raised the issue for urgent review.

CJI Kant expressed strong disapproval of a chapter addressing judicial corruption, asserting that no one should be permitted to tarnish the reputation of the judiciary.

The new Class VIII social science textbooks from NCERT outline various challenges faced by the judicial system, including corruption, a significant backlog of cases, and an insufficient number of judges.

In response, NCERT is reportedly convening an internal meeting to evaluate the recommendations made by subject experts involved in the chapter's development and the officials who approved it.

NCERT Chairman Dinesh Prasad Saklani has not responded to inquiries regarding the issue, while another senior official declined to comment, citing the matter's sub judice status.

Sources within the government noted that although NCERT operates as an autonomous body, those responsible for including such chapters should have exercised greater discretion. They argued that if corruption was to be discussed, it should encompass all three branches of government: the executive, judiciary, and legislature.

The textbook estimates that there are approximately 81,000 pending cases in the Supreme Court, 62.40 lakh in high courts, and 4.70 crore in district and subordinate courts.

It also emphasizes the internal accountability mechanisms within the judiciary and mentions the established process for lodging complaints via the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS).

According to the textbook, over 1,600 complaints were filed through this system between 2017 and 2021.

Additionally, the textbook cites former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, who stated in July 2025 that corruption and misconduct within the judiciary adversely affect public trust.

"However, the path to restoring this trust lies in prompt, decisive, and transparent actions to address these issues... Transparency and accountability are essential democratic values," he is quoted as saying.

Government sources indicated that while data on judicial corruption exists in parliamentary records and the national judicial data grid, the Union Law Ministry was not consulted for fact verification.

They also mentioned that former CJI Gavai's comments on judicial corruption were taken out of context, and he is reportedly dissatisfied with this portrayal.

"If students are to learn about corruption, the chapter should ideally encourage them to report graft complaints rather than focus on a single institution. An internal mechanism already exists within the Supreme Court and the 25 high courts to handle complaints against judges. According to the constitution's framers, the judiciary is an independent body capable of addressing such matters," a government official stated.

Earlier this month, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal informed the Lok Sabha that 8,639 complaints had been lodged against sitting judges from 2016 to 2025, with the highest number (1,170) recorded in 2024 against sitting judges.