The new NCERT Social Science textbook for Class 8 has listed corruption, a massive backlog of cases, and an inadequate number of judges as key “challenges” facing India’s judicial system.
Under a revised chapter titled ‘The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society’, the section on 'corruption in the judiciary' states that judges are bound by a code of conduct that governs not only their behaviour in court but also their conduct outside it.
While earlier editions of the textbook primarily focused on the structure and functions of courts, the addition of a section addressing corruption has drawn criticism from some quarters.
“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,” the chapter notes.
It further states: “Efforts are constantly being made at the State and Union levels to build faith and increase transparency in the judicial system, including through the use of technology, and to take swift and decisive action against instances of corruption wherever they may arise.”
The textbook also quotes former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, who in July 2025 said that instances of corruption and misconduct within the judiciary have a negative impact on public confidence.
The textbook further highlights the pendency of cases, claiming that over 81,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court, around 62.40 lakh in high courts, and approximately 4.70 crore in district and subordinate courts.
Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal criticised NCERT for including a section on judicial corruption while overlooking corruption in other sectors.
“NCERT's Class 8 book includes a section on corruption in the judiciary! What about the massive corruption of politicians, including ministers, public servants, investigation agencies, and why governments? Brush them under the carpet!” Sibal wrote in a post.