New Delhi, Feb 24: New educational materials released by the NCERT now include critical discussions on judicial corruption and the efficiency of Indian courts. The updated Class 8 Social Science curriculum moves beyond basic institutional descriptions to analyze the complexities of the legal system and the mechanisms meant to ensure its integrity.
Within the chapter “The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society,” the NCERT provides a statistical breakdown of the nation’s legal burden. The text reports that 4.7 crore cases are currently pending at the district and subordinate levels, alongside over 60 lakh in High Courts and 81,000 in the Supreme Court. The narrative suggests that these backlogs, coupled with ethical concerns, remain central challenges to the delivery of justice.
The textbook clarifies that the judiciary maintains internal systems to handle grievances, citing the use of the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). Between 2017 and 2021, the system recorded more than 1,600 complaints. The text also mentions that both state and Union governments are utilizing technology to increase transparency and restore public trust.
On the subject of judicial misconduct, the book explains the parliamentary role in oversight. It states that a motion of impeachment can be passed if allegations are sufficiently grave and after a proper inquiry is conducted. This ensures the judge in question is afforded a fair hearing before any removal occurs.
The NCERT authors acknowledged that the experience of corruption is a reality for many litigants. “Nevertheless, 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.
This shift in the curriculum is supported by insights from former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai. As cited in the textbook, Gavai declared in 2025 that transparency and accountability are fundamental to a democracy. He maintained that the solution to declining public confidence is “swift, decisive and transparent action” regarding any internal misconduct.
