Supreme Court Directs NCERT to Revise Controversial Textbooks

The Supreme Court has mandated the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to reassess its textbooks following a controversy over a chapter in the Class 8 curriculum. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that a panel of experts would oversee the review process. NCERT had previously issued an apology for the contentious content, retracting the entire textbook. This move aims to enhance the accuracy and accountability of educational materials, reflecting the government's commitment to quality education.

By Ambika Singh Mar 11, 2026, 14:36 IST

Supreme Court's Directive on NCERT Textbooks

In light of the ongoing debate regarding the NCERT textbooks, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the Central Government has instructed NCERT to reassess textbooks across all grades. The Supreme Court bench expressed that it would have been preferable for the government to establish an expert committee for curriculum evaluation rather than delegating the task to NCERT. Mehta reassured the court that a group of subject matter experts would be involved in the curriculum review process. He emphasized that systemic changes are underway within NCERT, ensuring that no material will be published without expert scrutiny.

The Supreme Court has also instructed the Central Government, state authorities, and universities to dissociate from the three experts responsible for the contentious chapter in the Class 8 NCERT textbook.

NCERT's Apology

Previously, NCERT had issued a public apology regarding the Judiciary chapter included in the Class 8 textbook. The organization shared this statement on the social media platform X, acknowledging the issue. The statement read, "The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently released the social science textbook, 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond,' for Grade 8 (Part II), which featured Chapter IV titled 'The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society.' The Director and Members of NCERT sincerely apologize for the content of Chapter IV. The entire textbook has been retracted and is no longer accessible."

The statement continued, "We regret any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate the understanding of all involved parties. NCERT is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of accuracy, sensitivity, and accountability in educational materials."