{"id":"f-73cd9b4b27-a6b8fafc-d281-5429-b992-618c9cda9f7f","title":"‘No intent to disrespect judiciary’: Education Minister orders probe into NCERT textbook row","description":"Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has expressed regret over the Class 8 NCERT social science chapter on the judiciary. The text allegedly claimed “corruption in the judiciary” and triggered a blanket ban by the Supreme Court. This triggered Centre’s response, ordering all the copies of the book to be withdrawn and promising strict action.","timestamp":1772113147,"category":"national_v_two","headline":"‘No intent to disrespect judiciary’: Education Minister orders probe into NCERT textbook row","modifiedHeadline":"Education minister orders probe in NCERT book row","subCategories":["scid_b6669955"],"subcategoriesName":["National"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"7b48871c-c993-4956-b43d-6f46f8e1b036","bundleTitle":"Today In India","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"149","fcSummary":"the controversy arose from a class 8 textbook referencing corruption within the judiciary, prompting a supreme court ban and swift action from the government. union education minister dharmendra pradhan expressed regret and ordered the withdrawal of all copies, initiating an inquiry into the chapter's preparation and approval process. the ncrt deemed the inclusion an unintentional error and assured corrective measures are underway.","summary":"NCERT textbook row: Minister orders probe after controversial content alleging judiciary corruption sparked Supreme Court action. Books withdrawn.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/astrology/IN/en/news9/f-73cd9b4b27-a6b8fafc-d281-5429-b992-618c9cda9f7f","sourceUrl":"https://www.news9live.com/india/no-intent-to-disrespect-judiciary-centre-orders-probe-into-ncert-textbook-row-2936453","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/lkYo9xbECqe0.webp","content":"

New Delhi: As the NCERT is trying to contain the damage over the controversial statement on “corruption in the judiciary”, the Centre is trying to make

\n\n

amends. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Thursday that the Centre had no intention of disrespecting the judiciary. The controversy erupted over content alleging corruption in the judicial system in a Class 8 social science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training.

\n\n

‘Ordered immediate corrective action’

Pradhan said he holds the judiciary in the highest regard and has already ordered immediate corrective measures. NCERT stirred the hornet’s nest when references to “corruption in the judiciary” appeared in the social science textbook for Class 8, prompting the Supreme Court to impose a blanket ban on the book.

\n\n

“We hold the judiciary in the highest regard. There was absolutely no intention on the part of the government to disrespect the judiciary. We are taking this matter very seriously and will fully comply with the court’s decision,” Pradhan told reporters. He added that he was deeply saddened and expressed regret over the development.

Pradhan further said that he ordered swift action as soon as the issue was brought to his notice. He confirmed that the NCERT had been instructed to withdraw all copies of the book and ensure they do not enter circulation.

\n\n

“I immediately instructed the NCERT to withdraw all the books and ensured that they do not go into circulation. I have also ordered the withdrawal of those books,” Pradhan said.

He further announced that an inquiry would be conducted into how the chapter was prepared and approved. Action will be taken against those found responsible, he added, while assuring the judiciary that such an error would not recur.

Supreme Court weighs in

The controversy reached the Supreme Court after a media report drew attention to the textbook content. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant initiated a suo motu hearing, taking a firm view of the matter.

\n\n

“I will not allow anyone on earth to taint the integrity of the institution and defame the institution. Whosoever high it may be, the law will take its course,” the Chief Justice said.

During the hearing, the court warned that such developments could erode public confidence in the judiciary if left unchecked. Justice Kant said it was his duty to identify those responsible and indicated that accountability would follow.

Following the court’s intervention, the NCERT put the distribution of the textbook on hold.

\n\n

What the NCERT textbook row is all about

The controversy centres on the book Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II. Chapter 4, titled The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society, included references to corruption in the judiciary, complaints against judges and concerns about transparency.

The chapter also carried excerpts from a speech delivered in July 2025 by former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai. In that speech, Justice Gavai spoke about instances of corruption and misconduct and stressed the need for swift and transparent action to rebuild public trust.

\n\n

The textbook noted that steps were being taken at both central and state levels to strengthen transparency and public confidence, including through the use of technology and prompt action against wrongdoing.

The issue was flagged before the Supreme Court by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who questioned the inclusion of such material in a foundational school text.

In a post on X, Sibal argued that if corruption in the judiciary was being discussed, similar scrutiny should apply to politicians, ministers and investigative agencies.

\n\n

“Inadvertent mistake, error of judgement”: NCERT

In its response, the NCERT said certain inappropriate material had “inadvertently crept into” the chapter and described it as an error of judgement.

The council stressed that it holds the judiciary in the highest esteem and views it as the protector of the Constitution and fundamental rights. It maintained that the lapse was purely unintentional and said corrective measures are underway.

NCERT added that the objective of the new textbooks is to strengthen constitutional literacy, institutional respect and informed democratic participation among students, and that there was no intent to question or diminish the authority of any constitutional body.

\n","readDurationInMinutes":"7","author":{"name":"News9","logo":"https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/bubble/png/0e26af53-6a49-4ee1-a63d-25161b714ad5.jpeg"},"ism":false,"analyticsResponses":[{"measurementId":"G-EQBYL0ZYL8","type":"GA"},{"measurementId":"33425927","type":"COMSCORE","partnerName":"glance"}],"pointerSummary":["NCERT withdraws Class 8 textbook after judiciary corruption claims surfaced.","Union Minister Pradhan says govt had no intent to disrespect the judiciary; inquiry ordered.","Supreme Court took suo motu notice, warning against eroding public trust in the judiciary."],"tags":["NCERTTextbookRow","JudiciaryCorruption","DharmendraPradhan","SupremeCourt","EducationMinister","Class8SocialScience","TextbookControversy","ChiefJusticeSuryaKant","ExploringSociety","BRGavai","KapilSibal","AbhishekManuSinghvi","ConstitutionalLiteracy","IndiaEducation","JudicialIntegrity"],"redirectionEnabled":false,"consent":true}

‘No intent to disrespect judiciary’: Education Minister orders probe into NCERT textbook row

SUMMARY