Supreme Court approves NCERT's recall of 82,440 flawed textbook copies

This case concerns a suo motu proceeding initiated by the Supreme Court regarding a Grade 8 Social Science textbook published by NCERT, specifically Chapter 4 titled 'The Role of the Judiciary in our Society,' which the Court found undermined the dignity of the Judiciary. The matter was resolved after the Government of India recalled the book, reconstituted the curriculum committee, and produced a revised, balanced text.

Who it concerns: The matter concerns the Union of India, NCERT, and the Department of School Education and Literacy as respondents/authorities, with the Court acting on its own motion (suo motu) following a media report. The Bench consisted of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana.

What the court decided

• The Court disposed of the suo motu writ petition and closed the matter.
• The Court discharged the show-cause notices issued to the Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, and the Director, NCERT.
• The Court clarified that a statement recorded by the Solicitor General regarding the curriculum committee's decision-making process was merely a record and not an observation or order of the Court.
• The Court noted that the revised chapter, reviewed by an Expert Committee, has been circulated to students and is in classroom use.
• The Court directed that the Union of India, NCERT, and concerned authorities remain bound by assurances regarding the content and vetting of educational material relating to public institutions in future editions.

Also in the document

• The Court emphasized that while constructive criticism of the Judiciary is a necessary feature of a vibrant democracy, it must be voiced in appropriate forums and not in school curricula for impressionable minds without verification.
• The Court appreciated the collaboration between the Judiciary and the Executive, noting the recall of 82,440 copies of the textbook and the reconstitution of the National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC).
• The Court found the revised text to be objective, factually accurate, and balanced, setting out the constitutional role of the Judiciary without glorifying or unfairly disparaging the institution.