New Delhi, 25 February 2026:

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has temporarily halted the distribution of its newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook after identifying inappropriate content in one of its chapters.

According to an official statement, the textbook titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Vol II” was released on February 24, 2026. During review, certain inappropriate material and errors of judgment were reportedly found in Chapter 4, titled “The Role of Judiciary in our Society.”

Following the development, the Ministry of Education directed that distribution of the textbook be placed on hold until further orders.

NCERT clarified that the inclusion of the content was unintentional and reaffirmed its respect for the judiciary, describing it as a protector of the Constitution and Fundamental Rights.

The council further stated that the chapter would be revised in consultation with relevant authorities, and a corrected version of the textbook would be issued for the academic session 2026–27.

Expressing regret over the incident, NCERT apologized for the lapse and reiterated its commitment to maintaining educational standards and institutional integrity.

Originally published in Dweep Tulika, Volume VIII, Issue No. 12, dated 20 March 2026.


The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)