NCERT Textbook Now Includes Chapter on Corruption in Indian Judiciary, Massive Case Backlog
New Delhi – In a significant move towards transparency and civic education, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has revised its Class 8 Social Science textbook to include a dedicated chapter addressing corruption within the Indian judiciary and the overwhelming backlog of cases plaguing the country’s legal system. The updated textbook, released on Monday, marks a departure from previous editions which focused solely on the structure and function of the judiciary without acknowledging systemic challenges.
The new chapter, titled “The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society,” identifies “corruption at various levels of the judiciary” as a serious concern, impacting public trust and access to justice. It also details the scale of the problem, citing approximately 81,000 pending cases in the Supreme Court, over 6.24 million in High Courts, and a staggering 47 million cases awaiting resolution in District and Subordinate Courts as of February 2026.
The textbook attributes the massive backlog to a confluence of factors, including a shortage of judges, complex legal procedures, and inadequate infrastructure. It explains that judges are governed by a code of conduct encompassing both professional and personal behavior, and outlines existing internal accountability mechanisms within the judiciary. Citizens now have a formal avenue to lodge complaints through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), with over 1,600 complaints received between 2017 and 2021.
The textbook further clarifies the process for addressing serious allegations of judicial misconduct, stating that Parliament possesses the authority to remove a judge through a motion of impeachment, following a thorough inquiry that provides the judge with a fair opportunity to present their defense.
Acknowledging the detrimental impact of corruption, the textbook states, “Nevertheless, people do experience corruption at various levels of the judiciary. For the poor and the disadvantaged, this can worsen the issue of access to justice.” It emphasizes ongoing efforts at both the state and national levels to bolster faith in the judicial system, enhance transparency – including through the implementation of technology – and take decisive action against corruption wherever it is found.
The revised textbook also incorporates a quote from former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, delivered in July 2025, which underscores the gravity of the situation. Gavai stated, “…Sadly, there have been instances of corruption and misconduct that have surfaced even within the judiciary. Such occurrences inevitably have a negative impact on public confidence, potentially eroding faith in the integrity of the system as a whole. However, the path to rebuilding this trust lies in the swift, decisive and transparent action taken to address and resolve these issues… Any erosion of this confidence risks weakening the judiciary’s constitutional role as the ultimate arbiter of rights.”
Beyond the focus on judicial challenges, the textbook also presents case studies designed to encourage critical thinking among students. It examines the Supreme Court’s rulings on electoral bonds – declared unconstitutional due to a lack of transparency regarding political funding – and the Information Technology Act, 2009, where a clause restricting online speech was struck down for violating freedom of speech. Students are prompted to analyze the Supreme Court’s actions in these instances and the reasoning behind them.
The NCERT’s move to incorporate these sensitive topics into the Class 8 curriculum aligns with the broader goals of the National Education Policy, 2020, and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education. The updated textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 are part of a larger effort to modernize educational content and foster a more informed citizenry. The first part of the Social Science textbook for Class 8 was released in July of last year.