The Supreme Court on Thursday (February 26, 2026) took suo motu cognizance of the NCERT book chapter issue and heard it, in which Chief Justice Surya Kant appeared very angry. During this, the Education Department apologized to the Supreme Court, but the CJI said that the hearing will continue until it is known who is behind this and until he is satisfied.
The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Panchauli was hearing the case. During this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was present on behalf of the Education Department. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi also raised objections regarding the chapter in the hearing. There is a chapter on Judiciary in the new book of Social Science of Class 8, whose title is ‘Corruption in Judiciary’. This chapter includes many information like pending cases in the courts. CJI Surya Kant has made some important comments while hearing this case-
- The CJI said in the order that three organs of the system – legislature, judiciary and executive are necessary for the smooth functioning of democracy. He said, ‘We came to know about the excerpt written in the NCERT book from a newspaper. We were shocked to know this.
- CJI Surya Kant said that we do not want to re-record those excerpts here. He said that by quoting a statement of the former Chief Justice without context, an attempt was made to show that there is corruption in the judiciary. In the book, some things have been written about the judiciary while mentioning former CJI Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai.
- The CJI said that after reading the news, he asked his Secretary General to get information whether such a book had really been published, to which the NCERT Director replied that the content was correct. He said it was very contemptible.
- The CJI said that it seems that this was done deliberately to harm the dignity of the judiciary. The CJI said that talking like this about the judiciary and spreading disrespect towards it can definitely be a case of criminal contempt. If this has been done deliberately.
- CJI Surya Kant said that this is a well-thought-out and planned step. Apart from children, teachers and parents will also read it. He said that we cannot let the officers go just on amnesty. To say that it is being removed is not enough. The book went to the market. I have also seen a copy of it. He ordered the Education Department to take back the books sent to markets and schools and also remove the online material of the book.
- CJI Surya Kant said that he will not stop the hearing. We have to find out who is behind this. He said that it would be wrong to let this book reach the general public and especially young children.
- The CJI said that the book has ignored the important role of the judiciary in protecting the rights of the people. Many steps are being taken to provide legal aid to people and make it easier for them to get justice. He said that the Supreme Court has passed many important orders against corruption in public life. It does not seem that part of the book has been written with good intentions.
- CJI Surya Kant also said, ‘We want to make it clear that we do not want to stop any criticism made with good intentions. These things are necessary for the better functioning of any organization. The CJI further said that but it is necessary to maintain the dignity of the judiciary. Communicating biased messages to young children will affect their brain. Chief Justice Surya Kant said that it is also important to understand that apart from children, this book will reach teachers, parents or the entire society. Will also affect future generations.
