The NCERT has issued an unusual public appeal. It has asked students, parents, schools, and booksellers to return copies of its Class 8 Social Science textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Part 2. The request follows a Supreme Court order that has placed a complete ban on the book’s publication and circulation.
In its notice, the National Council of Educational Research and Training said anyone who has the textbook should return it to its headquarters on Sri Aurobindo Marg in New Delhi. This includes individuals, schools, private sellers, and organisations.
Even those who purchased the book recently have been asked to submit their copies without delay.
The council has also raised concern over the book’s presence online. It specifically mentioned the chapter Role of Judiciary in Our Society. NCERT urged people to delete any text, images, or material from the book that may have been shared on social media or other digital platforms.
The appeal comes a day after the Supreme Court, in its February 26 order, imposed what it called a “complete blanket ban” on the book. The court barred any further printing, sale, or digital sharing of the content.
It also warned that sharing the same material under a different title or through electronic means would be treated as a direct violation of its order.
NCERT said the textbook has already been withdrawn from circulation. The latest step is aimed at ensuring that no copies remain in public use.
The book was part of the Social Science curriculum for Grade 8 students. It had reached the market and some classrooms before the ban came into force. Now, its sudden withdrawal has left many schools waiting for clarity on what will replace it.
For NCERT, whose books form the backbone of school education across the country, the move marks a rare moment. Textbooks shape how millions of students understand society and institutions. Their removal, especially after reaching readers, is uncommon.
For now, the council’s message is clear. Every copy must come back. Every shared page must be taken down.
The final word, it seems, has already been written — not in the classroom, but in the courtroom.
