PM Modi Expresses Displeasure Over NCERT Judiciary Chapter, Demands Accountability: Govt Sources

Last Updated:February 26, 2026, 17:48 IST

PM Modi's reaction came after the Supreme Court sharply criticised the NCERT over a "corruption in judiciary" chapter in Class 8 books, which prompted an apology from the Centre.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed displeasure over the ongoing NCERT row, government sources told CNN-News18, after the Supreme Court strongly criticised a chapter referring to “corruption in judiciary" in a Social Science textbook for Class 8 students.

According to top government sources, PM Modi expressed his displeasure over the NCERT controversy and demanded to know the person who was overseeing the matter. He also questioned how Class 8 students could discuss judicial corruption and called for accountability in the matter.

Prime Minister Modi’s reaction came after the NCERT tendered an unconditional apology over the controversy and said it would retract the Social Science textbook for Class 8 containing the chapter on judicial corruption, after strong criticism from Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

The NCERT said it will be rewriting the curriculum of the textbook in question, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II, which was officially released on February 24. Within hours of its release, the book was taken off the council’s website and all physical circulation was stopped after the SC expressed its ire over the content, which it deemed defamatory and an affront to the integrity of the legal system.

The matter was brought to the court’s attention for urgent consideration by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi. CJI Surya Kant issued a stern warning stating that “nobody on earth will be allowed to defame the judiciary and taint its integrity".

The Supreme Court observed that the publication of the book is a serious misconduct and directed that all copies of the book containing the chapter be immediately “seized". It also issued a contempt notice to the NCERT chairman, Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani, and the Secretary of School Education.

ALSO READ: ‘Heads Must Roll’: SC Bans Controversial NCERT Book, Issues Contempt Notice To Chairman

“We would like to have a deeper probe. As head of the judiciary, it is my duty to ensure accountability; heads must roll," CJI Kant told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the NCERT. Mehta tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

News india PM Modi Expresses Displeasure Over NCERT Judiciary Chapter, Demands Accountability: Govt Sources

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