General Studies Paper 2 — Polity and Governance | Source: The Hindu May 22, 2026

1. What happened

The Supreme Court took back its earlier harsh order against three academics who helped write a Class 8 textbook chapter on the judiciary. The Court admitted it had punished them without hearing their side — which is against the basic rules of fairness.

“The problem was only with the content and not the creators.” — Justice Joymalya Bagchi, May 22, 2026

2. How it started

In February 2026, the National Council of Educational Research and Training released a new Class 8 textbook under the National Education Policy 2020. One chapter on courts mentioned:

• Corruption at various levels of the judiciary
• Huge backlog of cases due to shortage of judges
• Common people view courts as places of “delays and palm-greasing”

The Supreme Court got very upset. It banned the book, seized all copies, and blacklisted three academics — without giving them a chance to speak. On May 22, 2026, the Court reversed this, calling its own earlier order unfair.

3. Key issues this case raises

• Free speech versus court dignity: Article 19(1)(a) gives the right to free speech. But Article 19(2) allows restrictions — including contempt of court. This case sits right in between.
• Contempt of court: Content that damages the image or authority of a court in public eyes can be treated as criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
• Fairness in punishment: Before punishing anyone, the law demands they must be heard. Skipping this step — called an ex parte order — makes the punishment legally invalid.
• New issue — cartoons in books: The government’s top lawyer also raised concern about political cartoons in Class 11 textbooks. A committee has been asked to review them. A similar row had happened in 2012 over a cartoon depicting Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.

4. Value box — key terms and bodies

• Suo motu cognizance: When a court starts a case on its own, without anyone filing a petition. The Supreme Court can do this under Article 129. High Courts can do this under Article 215.
• Audi alteram partem: A basic rule of fairness — “hear the other side.” No one can be punished without a chance to explain themselves. When this is skipped, the order is called ex parte and can be cancelled.
• Contempt of Courts Act, 1971: Protects the dignity of courts. Criminal contempt means any act that lowers the authority of a court in public eyes. Punishment: up to 6 months imprisonment or a fine of ₹2,000, or both.
• National Judicial Academy, Bhopal: Set up in 1993 by the Supreme Court. Trains judges and court staff. Now helping the Justice Indu Malhotra Committee rewrite the school-level legal studies curriculum.

Q.5. Consider the following statements about the National Council of Educational Research and Training textbook controversy of 2026:

1. The Supreme Court’s power to take suo motu cognizance comes from Article 32 of the Constitution.
2. The blacklisting order against the three academics was passed without giving them a chance to be heard.
3. The National Judicial Academy, located in Bhopal, is working with the Justice Indu Malhotra Committee to revise the school-level legal studies curriculum.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer

(b) 2 and 3 only