Imphal, March 2, 2026: The Government of Manipur has ordered the immediate stoppage of use and seizure of all copies of the Class VIII (Part-2) Social Science textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond (First Edition, February 2026), published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), following directions issued by the Supreme Court of India.
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The order comes in compliance with the Supreme Court's directions in a suo motu Writ Petition (Civil) taken up on February 26, 2026. The matter concerns Chapter 4, "The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society," particularly a sub-section discussing "Corruption in the Judiciary." Acting on the apex court's directive, the State Government has initiated immediate steps to withdraw the textbook from circulation across Manipur.
According to the official order, all physical and digital copies of the textbook currently available in schools, libraries, storage facilities, book depots, and retail outlets are to be seized without delay and removed from public access. Educational institutions have also been instructed to discontinue the use of the textbook in classrooms until further directions are issued.
The Supreme Court has reportedly fixed personal responsibility on the Director of NCERT and the principals of schools to ensure strict compliance with its directions. They have been directed to ensure that all available copies are properly sealed and that no further teaching is conducted using the textbook concerned.
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In compliance with the court's order, the Directorate of Education (Schools), Government of Manipur, has directed all government, government-aided, and private schools, as well as book retailers across the state, to deposit all seized copies with their respective Zonal Education Offices.
The Directorate has fixed 1:00 PM on March 6, 2026, as the deadline for submission of the confiscated books. Authorities have instructed all institutions and retailers to comply with the directive without fail.
Officials stated that the move is being carried out strictly in accordance with the Supreme Court's directions and is intended to ensure full legal compliance until the matter is resolved. The Education Department has urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the process and adhere to the instructions issued by the competent authorities.
