Govt advisory against publication of banned NCERT Class VIII Social Science textbook on social media

A day after the Supreme Court banned the new Class VIII Social Science textbook published by NCERT after taking serious objection to a chapter referring to “corruption in the judiciary,” the Union government on Friday issued an advisory to online news publishers and internet users to refrain from publishing, disseminating, circulating or uploading any digital copies of the aforementioned book, or any of its extracts or parts, on social media or the internet.

The apex court on Thursday had ordered that all copies of the book — both printed and digital — be immediately withdrawn from schools, stores and online platforms.

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The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting issued the advisory to Online News Publishers, Social Media Intermediaries and Internet Users in context of the Supreme Court of India Order dated 26.02.2026 in SUO MOTO Writ Petition (Civil) No.(s) 1/2026 in RE: Social Science Textbook for Grade 8 (Part-2).

Attention is invited to Order dated 26.02.2026 passed by the Supreme Court of India in SUO MOTO Writ Petition (Civil) No.(s) 1/2026 in RE: Social Science Textbook for Grade 8 (Part-2),” the Ministry said.

Vide the above mentioned Order, the Supreme Court has directed as under: “The Union of India and its agencies will ensure that the book is
removed immediately from the physical and digital platforms without any delay, and a compliance report by way of an affidavit is placed on record.”

“As an abundant precaution, a complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication re: printing or digital dissemination of the book
titled “Exploring Society, India and Beyond”. Any attempt to circumvent this order through electronic media or alternative titles, containing the
same contents, shall be treated as a direct interference, willful breach and defiance of the directions issued herein above.”

“Based on the above, the online news publishers and internet users are hereby advised to refrain from publishing, disseminating, circulating or uploading any digital copies of the aforementioned book, or any of its extracts or parts, on social media or the internet,” the advisory said.

The online news publishers and internet users who have already uploaded or posted such content are advised to remove the concerned content on an immediate basis, it said.

Further, the intermediaries, including social media intermediaries, are hereby advised to take action to identify and remove all concerned weblinks/URLs where the aforementioned book, or any of its extracts or parts, have been uploaded, published or hosted on their platforms.

This issues with the approval of the competent authority, the advisory added.