Supreme Court Raises Concerns Over NCERT Textbook's Judicial Corruption Chapter

The Supreme Court has voiced significant concerns regarding a chapter in the NCERT Class 8 social science textbook that discusses corruption within the judiciary. Chief Justice Suryakant emphasized the importance of protecting the institution's reputation and indicated that legal actions would follow. The textbook, released recently, highlights various challenges faced by the judiciary, including a backlog of cases and access to justice. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal has questioned the focus on judicial corruption while ignoring similar issues in politics. The controversy has led to the textbook being unavailable for sale, with the Supreme Court planning to address the matter promptly.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 25, 2026, 13:02 IST

Supreme Court's Reaction to NCERT Textbook

New Delhi, February 25, 2026: The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns regarding a section titled 'Corruption in the Judiciary' found in the chapter 'The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society' from the NCERT Class 8 social science textbook. Chief Justice Suryakant took note of the issue, stating, 'We cannot allow defamation... I will not permit anyone to tarnish the reputation of this institution. The law will take its course, and I will not tolerate this at any cost.'

Released on February 23, 2026, the textbook addresses various challenges faced by the judiciary at the Class 8 level, including corruption, a significant backlog of cases (over 530 million pending cases), a shortage of judges, and access to justice for the underprivileged. It also references a statement made by former Chief Justice B.R. Gavai in July 2025, where he acknowledged instances of corruption within the judiciary and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability.

Meanwhile, senior advocate and Congress MP Kapil Sibal has raised questions about the textbook, asking why corruption in the judiciary is highlighted while there is silence regarding corruption among politicians, ministers, and investigative agencies.

The NCERT textbook is now embroiled in controversy, and reports suggest that it is not currently available for sale. The Supreme Court has indicated that it will expedite the hearing of this matter.