The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has on Friday (February 27) ordered a total recall of the NCERT textbook Exploring Society:
India and Beyond, Social Science Grade 8 Part 2 or any material related to it. This directive comes a day after the Supreme Court ordered a complete ban on the reprinting and digital dissemination of the book. This directive was issued in an official notice shared by NCERT on its official social media accounts and website. "The NCERT requests any individual or organization, who is in possession of the NCERT textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science Grade 8 Part 2, or any material related to it, may return it to the Head, Department of Education in Social Sciences (DESS) or Publication Division, NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi, at the earliest possible. We also request that any content related to the chapter “Role of judiciary in Our Society” if posted on any of the social media or digital platform may be deleted at the earliest possible. Also, whosoever has purchased this textbook from anywhere is requested to return it to NCERT immediately," the official notice read. "It is further informed that as per para 20 of Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 26.02.2026 “a complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication re: printing or digital dissemination of the book titled ‘Exploring Society, India and Beyond’. Any attempt to circumvent this order through electronic media or alternative titles, containing the same contents, shall be treated as a direct interference, willful breach and defiance of the directions issued herein above," the notice added. Himanshu Gupta, Secretary of NCERT, reiterated that NCERT has withdrawn the textbook. It has also come to light that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, had reportedly expressed 'displeasure' over the recent NCERT class 8 book controversy, and had said that the 'accountability should be fixed'. This took place during the cabinet meeting that took place on Tuesday when Modi questioned the inclusion of the said chapter, and also questioned as to why was this portion being taught to students who are just in class 8.
