The Supreme Court today dealt with concerns arising from the content and preparation of NCERT’s Grade 8 social science textbook, including objections to the manner in which institutions such as the judiciary were portrayed and the process followed in drafting the material. The Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi signalled that the expert committee would undertake a broader review beyond a single textbook.

The matter arose after earlier observations of the Court had raised serious concerns regarding the textbook content and the role of its authors. In response, the authors and contributors sought an opportunity to place their explanation on record, contending that the textbook was the result of a structured, collective academic process aligned with evolving pedagogical frameworks under the National Education Policy, and not the work of any single individual.

During the hearing, the Court indicated that it would not expand the scope of proceedings by entertaining multiple intervention applications. While noting that a reconstituted expert committee had already been set up to examine the issues comprehensively, CJI remarked: “we will not allow anyone to become party to this.”

At the same time, the Court permitted the concerned authors to place their explanations on record, with Sr Adv J Sai Deepak arguing that “this was a collective process and no individual had the sole say or final authority.”

Appearances

Senior Adv Arvind Datar for Michel Danino

Senior Adv J Sai Deepak for Suparna Diwakar

Senior Adv Gopal Sankaranarayanan for Alok Prasanna Kumar