Are cartoons in NCERT textbooks proper? Supreme Court asks retired judge panel to review
The Supreme Court of India has tasked a committee with reviewing the appropriateness of cartoons in NCERT textbooks following objections from the Solicitor General. The government argues that textbooks are not suitable spaces for satire, especially for impressionable students.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing tensions regarding the content of educational materials and the role of the judiciary in regulating academic freedom and textbook design.
The Supreme Court on Friday (May 22, 2026) asked a former apex court judge-led committee to review cartoons published in National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that “textbook is not a space where you use cartoons”.
The report neutrally summarizes the legal arguments and the court's procedural response without taking a stance on the appropriateness of the cartoons.
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