New Delhi, Mar 10 (NVI): The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has withdrawn its Class 8 Social Science textbook “Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part II)” and issued an unconditional apology over concerns related to a chapter on the judiciary.
In a statement posted on X, NCERT Director and members apologised for Chapter IV titled “The Role of Judiciary in our Society” in the book.
NCERT said the entire textbook has been withdrawn and is no longer available.
The council expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reiterated its commitment to maintaining accuracy, sensitivity and responsibility in educational content.
The move follows objections regarding the portrayal of the judiciary in the chapter, including a sub-section titled “Corruption in the Judiciary.”
Earlier, the Supreme Court of India had imposed a blanket ban on the publication and dissemination of the textbook on February 26 and directed NCERT to submit details of the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter.
NCERT has also requested individuals or organisations possessing the textbook to return it to the Department of Education in Social Sciences or the Publication Division at its New Delhi office. It further urged people to delete any digital or social media content related to the chapter. (NVI)
