Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong displeasure over the NCERT textbook controversy, government sources told CNN-News18. The row began after the Supreme Court of India criticised a Class 8 Social Science chapter that mentioned “corruption in judiciary.”

PM Demands Accountability

Sources said Modi questioned how officials cleared such content for young students. He asked who supervised the process. He also raised concerns about exposing Class 8 students to discussions on judicial corruption. PM Modi sought clear accountability.

Supreme Court Issues Strong Warning

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant sharply criticised the chapter. He said, “nobody on earth will be allowed to defame the judiciary and taint its integrity".

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi brought the matter before the court for urgent hearing.

The court called the publication serious misconduct. It ordered authorities to “seized" all copies of the textbook containing the chapter. It also issued a contempt notice to NCERT chairman Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani and the Secretary of School Education.

“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.

NCERT Apologises, Withdraws Book

After the court’s remarks, NCERT issued an unconditional apology. It announced that it would withdraw the textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II, which it had released on February 24.

Authorities removed the book from the official website within hours. They also stopped physical distribution. NCERT said it will rewrite the curriculum of the concerned textbook.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing NCERT, offered an unconditional and unqualified apology on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

The controversy has sparked debate over textbook oversight and limits in academic content for school students.