Chief Justice of India Suryakant has taken a firm stance against a new chapter in the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook that discusses judicial corruption, declaring that no one will be allowed to defame the judiciary. The Supreme Court has initiated suo motu cognisance, highlighting the issue as a "deep-rooted" and "calculated" move during a hearing today.hindustantimes+2
Supreme Court's Swift Response
CJI Suryakant expressed grave concern while addressing the Bar, stating the court has already passed an order on the administrative side. Senior advocates like Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi raised alarms, noting the chapter targets judiciary corruption without mentioning issues in bureaucracy or politics. "I will not allow anybody to defame the institution. Law will take its course," the CJI asserted firmly.economictimes+3
This development comes just days after the revised textbook's release, sparking widespread debate on educational content's impact on young minds.
What's in the Controversial Chapter?
The NCERT Class 8 book now includes a section on "corruption in the judiciary" alongside massive case backlogs: 81,000 in Supreme Court, 62.4 lakh in High Courts, and 4.7 crore in lower courts. It covers:indianexpress+1
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Judges' code of conduct inside and outside court.
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Complaints via CPGRAMS (over 1,600 from 2017-2021).
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Impeachment process by Parliament after investigation.
The chapter also quotes former CJI B.R. Gavai from July 2025, emphasizing transparency to rebuild public trust. While aiming to teach accountability, critics argue it selectively tarnishes the judiciary's image.
Why This Matters Now
In an era of rising judicial scrutiny amid record pendency, this textbook update coincides with national pushes for court reforms. It raises questions on curriculum balance—does highlighting flaws aid education or erode institutional faith? Legal experts like Sibal call it "extremely troubling" for Class 8 students. Governments are adopting tech for transparency, but such content could undermine efforts, especially when public trust is key to democracy.
Path Ahead and Reforms
The Supreme Court bench, including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, signals potential action against those responsible. NCERT may face revisions, as the council discussed changes to explain access to justice challenges.
For citizens, this underscores reporting corruption via official channels like CPGRAMS while supporting tech-driven transparency. As the suo motu case unfolds, it promises clarity on balancing education with institutional respect. Stay tuned for updates on this judiciary vs education clash.
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