New Delhi, March 10: The Director and members of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) have tendered an “unconditional and unqualified apology” over Chapter IV in its now-withdrawn Class 8 Social Science textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part II).
In a statement posted on X, NCERT said the entire book has been withdrawn and is no longer available.
“The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) recently published a social science textbook titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Grade 8 (Part II), which contained Chapter IV titled ‘The Role of Judiciary in our Society’. The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said chapter. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available,” the council said in its post.
NCERT expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and reiterated its commitment to ensuring accuracy and sensitivity in educational material.
“NCERT remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, sensitivity and responsibility in educational content,” the statement added.
The apology follows concerns raised over the chapter’s portrayal of the judiciary, particularly a sub-section titled “Corruption in the Judiciary” under Chapter IV, The Role of Judiciary in Our Society.
Earlier, NCERT had recalled the book after the Supreme Court of India imposed a blanket ban on its publication and dissemination.
In a media advisory, NCERT requested that any individual or organisation in possession of the textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science Grade 8 Part II, or related material, return it to the Head, Department of Education in Social Sciences (DESS), or the Publication Division at NCERT headquarters on Sri Aurobindo Marg in New Delhi at the earliest.
The council also asked people to delete any content related to the chapter “Role of Judiciary in Our Society” if it had been shared on social media or other digital platforms.
The recall follows a Supreme Court order dated February 26. As per paragraph 20 of the order, “a complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication, whether in print or digital form, of the book titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond.”
The order further warned that any attempt to bypass the ban “through electronic media or alternative titles containing the same contents shall be treated as direct interference, wilful breach and defiance of the directions issued”.
On February 26, the Supreme Court also directed NCERT to submit detailed records of the Teaching-Learning Materials Committee that approved the chapter, including the names, qualifications and credentials of all members involved in developing the content. (Agency)
