'Judiciary Is Bleeding': Centre Says Sorry, SC Bans NCERT Textbook With Chapter On Judicial Corruption

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday has imposed a complete ban on accessing the NCERT's Social Science book having chapter on 'judiciary corruption' and has also issued show cause notice to secretary, department of school education, NCERT director Dinesh Prasad Saklani. 

What did the Top Court say?

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered an immediate nationwide removal of the Class 8 social science textbook chapter with references to "corruption in judiciary" and asked for names of those who drafted the contentious chapter.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant criticised NCERT over a chapter discussing "corruption" and "backlogs" in the judiciary and also called it a "deep-rooted and well-planned conspiracy".

“We would like to have a deeper probe. As head of the judiciary, it is my duty to ensure accountability, heads must roll. I will not close these proceedings until there is some accountability. We want to know who the people behind this are," CJI Surya Kant said.

The Supreme Court has issued show cause notices to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Literacy (Ministry of Education) and to NCERT Director Dr Dinesh Prashad Saklani to show cause as to why suitable action either under Contempt or under any other law against those… pic.twitter.com/ORe4fMk203

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026

Did Centre apologize?

The Centre on Thursday has also tendered an unconditional apology as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, "In a suo motu case, we tender an unconditional apology."

What did Supreme Court warn of?

A bench comprising of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi imposed a blanket ban on the Class 8 textbook in question and also clarified that any attempt to circumvent or bypass this order will be treated as direct interference with the administration of justice and will amount to contempt of court.

The Top Court further directed the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to place on record the details of the Teaching–Learning Materials Committee that approved the impugned chapter. The names, qualifications, and credentials of all members of the chapter development team are to be furnished before the Court, according to ANI.

“They have fired the gun and the judiciary is bleeding today. Today, anybody can say anything. At times, there is a mounting attack on us, and we are aware of it. The material is available online, on the internet, and even in stores. This is a very calculated move — the entire teaching will be dictated. When you look at how the Indian judiciary is portrayed as corrupt, it becomes evident what message is being sent," Surya Kant said.

"The entire teaching community will first be instructed that this is what they have to teach. In reality, not a single section of society has been left untouched. It is a deep-rooted, well-planned, and orchestrated conspiracy.”, the CJI added.