Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated on Thursday that there was absolutely no intention to disrespect the judiciary in connection with the controversy surrounding a Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook, and assured that a probe would be conducted with appropriate action taken against those responsible.

Speaking to reporters in Jamshedpur, Pradhan expressed deep regret over the matter, emphasizing the government's full respect for the institution of the judiciary. He clarified that the inclusion of contentious content—specifically a chapter or section referring to "corruption in the judiciary"—was not reflective of any governmental motive to undermine judicial integrity. The minister highlighted that he had immediately directed the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to withdraw the textbook and halt its circulation to prevent further dissemination.

The controversy erupted after the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, strongly objected to the material in the newly released 2026 edition of the Class 8 textbook. The court described the content as a "calculated" attempt to defame the judiciary, imposed a blanket ban on its publication, printing, and digital sharing, and issued contempt notices to relevant authorities, including the NCERT director. Senior advocates had brought the issue to the court's attention, labeling the reference to judicial corruption in educational material for young students as disturbing and selective.

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Pradhan assured that an inquiry would be launched to fix accountability, with action to follow against individuals involved in drafting and approving the problematic chapter. He reiterated the Centre's commitment to fully complying with the Supreme Court's directions and expressed sadness over the incident, underscoring that the government takes pride in the impartial functioning of the judiciary.

This development comes amid broader scrutiny of NCERT curriculum revisions under the National Education Policy framework, where content accuracy and sensitivity remain key concerns. Officials indicated that corrective measures, including the textbook's withdrawal, are already underway to ensure educational materials align with constitutional values and institutional respect. The minister's response aims to address public and judicial concerns while reaffirming the government's adherence to judicial authority.

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