Supreme Court welcomes criticism but rejects 'uninformed assertions': NCERT case

A bench of the Supreme Court made the distinction while hearing a suo motu case concerning content in the National Council of Educational Research and Training's Class 8 social science curriculum. The case was initiated following concerns raised about material describing corruption within the judicial system.

The court's observation underscores the tension between accountability and institutional reputation. Judges acknowledged that democratic societies require open debate about government institutions, including the courts themselves. However, the bench emphasised that such criticism must be grounded in facts rather than speculation or sweeping generalisations.

The NCERT textbook case reflects broader questions about how educational materials present institutional challenges to young students. The court's position suggests it is prepared to engage substantively with legitimate scrutiny while distinguishing such engagement from what it characterised as unfounded claims.

The suo motu proceedings indicate the judiciary's concern with how judicial conduct is portrayed in educational materials reaching millions of students across India. The case remains ongoing as the court examines the balance between transparency about institutional shortcomings and maintaining public confidence in the legal system.