SC Issues Contempt Notice Over NCERT Judiciary Chapter
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: NCERT distributed a new Class 8 textbook containing explicit data and commentary on judicial corruption and case pendency. NOW: The Supreme Court enforced a blanket ban, halting printing and ordering the physical seizure and digital deletion of the entire publication.
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BEFORE: Educational authorities exercised broad editorial independence to highlight systemic governance challenges to students. NOW: The Court established a strict boundary, warning that critical educational content can attract criminal contempt if deemed to scandalize the institution and engender permanent misconceptions in young minds.
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BEFORE: The NCERT Director initially submitted a written response defending the pedagogical choice to include the chapter. NOW: NCERT formally withdrew the book, tendered an unconditional public apology, and ceded the redrafting of the chapter to a government-appointed Expert Committee.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)With reference to the Supreme Court's contempt jurisdiction and the 2026 NCERT textbook controversy, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Under Article 129 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court is a Court of Record and has the power to punish for contempt of itself. 2. Criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, includes any publication that scandalises or tends to lower the authority of any court.