Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of NCERT Textbook’s Reference to Judicial Corruption

New Delhi, February 25, 2026 – The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, has taken strong exception to a newly introduced Class 8 NCERT textbook that references corruption within the judiciary. The Court initiated suo motu proceedings in response to concerns raised by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Concerns Raised by Legal Experts

During a hearing on Wednesday, Sibal and Singhvi expressed their deep concern over the inclusion of the topic of judicial corruption in the textbook for young students. Sibal argued that teaching Class 8 students about corruption in the judiciary was “entirely scandalous” and detrimental to public trust in the institution. Singhvi highlighted the selective nature of the textbook’s focus, noting that it did not address corruption in other sectors like politics, bureaucracy, or business.

CJI Kant’s Response and Suo Motu Cognizance

CJI Kant responded with firm resolve, stating, “I will not allow anyone on earth to defame the institution.” He confirmed that he had already taken suo motu cognizance of the matter, indicating the Court’s proactive approach to addressing the issue. The CJI also mentioned receiving numerous calls and messages from concerned judges and stakeholders within the legal community.

Textbook Content and Concerns

The revised chapter in the NCERT Class 8 social science textbook, titled ‘The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society,’ expands on the traditional focus of court structure and access to justice to include systemic issues such as corruption, case backlogs, and a shortage of judges. The textbook notes that “People do experience corruption at various levels of the judiciary,” and that this can disproportionately affect the poor and disadvantaged.

Court’s Stance and Future Action

Justice Joymalya Bagchi also expressed serious concerns, stating that the textbook appeared to be lacking in constitutional integrity. CJI Kant assured those present that the Court would take appropriate action to defend the judiciary’s integrity and prevent its defamation. He indicated that a decision would be made after further consideration, urging all stakeholders to await the Court’s response.