Supreme Court Directs NCERT to Review All Textbooks Amid Concerns

The Supreme Court has directed the NCERT to undertake a thorough review of all textbooks after concerns were raised about objectionable content in the eighth-grade social science book. The court suggested that forming an expert committee for curriculum evaluation would have been a more effective approach. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that a panel of subject experts would be established to oversee the review process. This directive comes after the court had previously imposed a ban on the publication of the controversial textbook. The NCERT director has also submitted an affidavit apologizing for the oversight. Read on to learn more about the implications of this directive.

By Ambika Singh Mar 11, 2026, 12:57 IST

Supreme Court's Directive to NCERT

On Wednesday, the central government informed the Supreme Court that it has instructed the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to conduct a comprehensive review of textbooks across all grades. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, remarked that it would have been more effective if the government had formed an expert committee for curriculum evaluation instead of merely directing NCERT.

This statement was made during the hearing of a case concerning the eighth-grade social science textbook, which the Supreme Court took up on its own accord. The book contained 'objectionable' content regarding corruption in the judiciary. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that the government has requested NCERT to review textbooks not just for the eighth grade but for all classes.

He assured the bench that a panel of subject matter experts would be established for the curriculum review, stating, 'We have initiated systemic changes.' He also emphasized that nothing would be published without thorough scrutiny by the subject experts.

Additionally, Mehta informed the bench that the director of NCERT has submitted an affidavit, offering an unconditional apology. Previously, the Supreme Court had imposed a 'complete ban' on any future publication, reprinting, or digital dissemination of the eighth-grade social science textbook on February 26.