CJI says apology not enough in Class 8 textbook row
February 26, 2026: The Supreme Court of India has taken a stern stand in the controversy surrounding a Class 8 social science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which allegedly included references to judicial corruption. While NCERT issued an unconditional apology, withdrew the chapter and suspended distribution of the book, the bench made it clear that the matter does not end there.
The Chief Justice of India stressed that merely removing the content is insufficient and said the issue requires a thorough probe to identify responsibility for its inclusion. The court observed that children must be taught correct constitutional values and underlined that India’s democracy rests on a balanced functioning of the legislature, judiciary and executive. It also noted that media reports had brought the controversial material to light, triggering widespread concern.
The bench indicated that hearings will continue until complete clarity is achieved, signalling that accountability remains central to the proceedings. Legal observers believe the case could set an important precedent regarding educational oversight and textbook governance, especially in matters involving sensitive references to public institutions and their functioning.