NCERT Class 8 Textbook Mentions Judicial Corruption, Political Debate Intensifies
New Delhi, Feb 24: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a new section discussing corruption within the judiciary in its revised Class 8 Social Science textbook, prompting political debate and renewed attention on transparency in India’s justice system.
The updated content appears under a chapter titled The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society and marks a shift from earlier editions that focused primarily on the structure, independence, and functions of courts without explicitly addressing corruption.
New Chapter Highlights Key Challenges
According to the revised textbook, the judicial system faces multiple structural challenges, including corruption at different levels, a significant backlog of cases, shortage of judges, complex legal procedures, and inadequate infrastructure.
The book provides approximate figures to illustrate the scale of pendency across courts. It notes that about 81,000 cases are pending before the Supreme Court, nearly 62.4 lakh in High Courts, and around 4.7 crore in district and subordinate courts. These figures are used to explain delays in justice delivery and the pressure on the judicial framework.
Earlier versions of the textbook had acknowledged delays using the widely cited phrase “justice delayed is justice denied,” but did not directly refer to corruption as a systemic concern.
Accountability Mechanisms Explained
The new section also outlines institutional safeguards aimed at maintaining judicial accountability. It explains that judges are governed by a code of conduct regulating behaviour both inside and outside the courtroom.
The textbook refers to internal mechanisms for handling complaints, including the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). It notes that more than 1,600 complaints related to the judiciary were received between 2017 and 2021 through this platform.
In discussing the importance of transparency, the book cites remarks by former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai from July 2025, who acknowledged instances of corruption and misconduct within the judiciary and emphasised that swift, transparent action is necessary to rebuild public trust and preserve confidence in constitutional institutions.
Political Reactions Surface
The inclusion of the topic has drawn criticism from sections of the political opposition. Congress MP and Supreme Court advocate Kapil Sibal questioned the focus on judicial corruption, arguing that corruption in other spheres — including politics, public administration, and investigative agencies — also requires similar attention in educational material.
Sibal raised the issue publicly on social media, asking why alleged corruption among political leaders and government institutions was not addressed with the same emphasis.
The debate reflects broader discussions around how school textbooks portray governance institutions and whether curriculum changes should address systemic challenges across sectors.
Part of Wider Curriculum Reform
NCERT has been revising textbooks across grades in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education. The aim of the overhaul is to simplify content, align it with competency-based learning, and include contemporary institutional realities.
New textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 have already been released as part of this process. The first part of the updated Class 8 Social Science book was issued in July last year, with subsequent revisions continuing through the current academic cycle.
Education experts note that curriculum updates often reflect evolving academic priorities and policy directions, but they can also trigger political debate due to the sensitive nature of topics related to governance, law, and public institutions.
Broader Significance
The addition of judicial corruption to school textbooks signals a shift toward introducing students to institutional challenges alongside theoretical concepts. Supporters argue that such inclusion promotes civic awareness, while critics caution against selective framing.
The development comes at a time when case pendency, judicial reforms, and transparency remain central to policy discussions in India’s legal ecosystem.
Our Final Thoughts
The revision of the Class 8 Social Science textbook highlights how education policy increasingly intersects with public discourse on governance. By addressing judicial accountability and systemic challenges, NCERT appears to be broadening the scope of civic education beyond institutional structure to include real-world complexities. At the same time, the political response underscores the sensitivity surrounding how corruption and institutional shortcomings are presented to students. As curriculum reforms under NEP 2020 continue, similar debates are likely to emerge, reflecting the balance between academic realism and political perception. The long-term impact of these changes will depend on how they shape students’ understanding of democratic institutions and public accountability.
