Centre Directs NCERT to Review All Textbooks Following Supreme Court Controversy
The Indian government informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it has instructed the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to conduct a comprehensive review of textbooks across all classes. This directive comes in response to a significant controversy surrounding a Class 8 social science textbook that contained what the court described as "offending" references to corruption within the judiciary.
Supreme Court Hearing and Government Response
The development emerged during a hearing of a suo motu case initiated by the apex court concerning the controversial textbook chapter. A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, expressed its preference for the Centre to establish an independent expert committee rather than relying solely on NCERT to conduct the internal review.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta presented the government's position to the Bench, confirming that NCERT has been directed to review textbooks across all educational levels, not just the specific Class 8 book that sparked the initial controversy. "We have started systemic changes. Nothing will be published without being vetted by domain experts," Mehta assured the court, according to reports from timesofindia.com.
Mehta further informed the court that the NCERT Director has submitted an affidavit offering an "unconditional and unqualified apology" regarding the contentious chapter content. He also pledged that a panel of experts would be constituted to thoroughly examine the curriculum and ensure factual accuracy moving forward.
Court's Preference for Independent Review Mechanism
While acknowledging the Centre's submission, the Supreme Court Bench observed that a broader and more independent review mechanism might be necessary for comprehensive curriculum evaluation. The justices noted they would have appreciated if the government had established an expert committee specifically tasked with reviewing school curriculum materials, rather than delegating the responsibility entirely to NCERT.
"Instead of asking the NCERT to do so, it would have appreciated if the Centre constituted an expert committee to review the curriculum," the Bench remarked during the proceedings, as reported by timesofindia.com.
Previous Court Actions and Academic Disassociation
Earlier, on February 26, the Supreme Court had imposed a "complete blanket ban" on any further publication, reprinting, or digital dissemination of the controversial Class 8 social science textbook. The court had characterized the content as amounting to a "gunshot" against the judiciary institution, stating "They have fired a gunshot and the judiciary is bleeding" while ordering the prohibition.
The court had additionally directed authorities to immediately seize and remove all copies of the book from schools, retail outlets, and other distribution channels, including both physical and digital formats.
In a significant development during Wednesday's hearing, the Bench ordered that Professor Michel Danino, chairperson of the NCERT social science curriculum committee, along with two associate members—Ms. Diwakar and Mr. Alok Prasanna Kumar—be disassociated from any role in preparing or finalizing school curriculum and textbooks.
"At the outset we have no reason to doubt that Professor Michel Danino along with Ms. Diwakar and Mr. Alok Prasanna Kumar either does not have reasonable knowledge about the Indian judiciary or they deliberately misrepresented the facts to project a negative image before students of Class 8," the court stated.
The Bench added that "There is no reason why such persons be associated in any manner with preparation of curriculum or finalisation of textbooks for the next generation" and directed the Union government, state governments, and all institutions receiving public funds to ensure these three academics are not engaged in curriculum work funded by public money.
