Who Is NCERT Director Dinesh Saklani? In Spotlight After SC Bans Class 8 Judiciary Chapter; What Is His Salary

The Supreme Court strongly criticised the controversial reference to "corruption in the judiciary" in a Class 8 NCERT Social Science textbook. The court said the matter is serious and cannot be closed simply by removing the content or issuing an apology.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made it clear that accountability must be fixed and those responsible must be identified. He said the book had already reached the public and its impact could not be ignored.

'Apology Alone Is Not Enough': SC

The court observed that just withdrawing the passage or saying sorry would not solve the problem. It pointed out that once the book is printed and circulated, it influences not only students but also teachers, parents and society.

Even though the government's lawyer said only a limited number of copies had been distributed, the court said the number of copies does not reduce the seriousness of the issue.

The bench said school textbooks play an important role in shaping young minds. Presenting a negative or one-sided view about the judiciary to students could affect their thinking and trust in institutions.

The court stressed that children must be taught balanced and responsible content. It added that criticism of institutions is allowed, but it must be fair, honest and not misleading.

Court Questions Intent Behind Content

The Chief Justice said the passage did not appear to be written with good intent. He said the court needs to know how such content was approved and who allowed it to be included in a school textbook.

The bench stated that the matter will not be closed until it is satisfied that responsibility has been fixed.

Judiciary's Role Ignored in Textbook

The court also noted that the textbook failed to mention the important role of the judiciary in protecting citizens' rights and ensuring justice. It pointed out that courts have taken several steps to improve access to justice and fight corruption in public life.
According to the bench, ignoring these positive contributions and presenting only negative aspects creates an unfair narrative.

Warning Over Contempt

The Supreme Court warned that if disrespect towards the judiciary is spread deliberately, it could amount to criminal contempt. The bench stressed that maintaining the dignity of the judiciary is essential for the functioning of democracy.

Orders to Remove and Seize the Book

The court directed authorities to immediately stop distribution of the textbook. It also ordered that all physical copies be seized and the online version removed from public access.

The bench said it will also examine whether the apology issued by the authorities was genuine.

The Supreme Court issued show-cause notices to senior officials, including the NCERT Director and the Education Department Secretary. They have been asked to explain how the content was approved and what action has been taken.

The court said the hearing will continue until it receives satisfactory answers and identifies those responsible for the controversial content.

Who Is NCERT Director Dinesh Saklani?

Dinesh Prasad Saklani is the current Director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the body responsible for preparing school textbooks and advising the government on curriculum matters.

A historian by profession, Saklani is a professor at HNB Garhwal University in Uttarakhand and has served in the field of education and research for many years.

He was appointed as NCERT Director for a five-year term and has been associated with several academic and curriculum development projects. NCERT functions under the Ministry of Education and its textbooks are widely used in CBSE schools and adopted by many state boards across India. Saklani is now in the spotlight after the Supreme Court issued a show-cause notice over the controversial Class 8 textbook chapter on the judiciary.

His Salary:

According to information available on the Ministry of Education's official website, the NCERT Director is entitled to a fixed monthly salary of ₹2,10,000 along with a special allowance of ₹11,250. The post is considered a senior administrative role and is filled on a tenure basis. Typically, the appointment is for a period of up to five years or until the individual reaches the age of 65, whichever comes earlier.

Dinesh On Babri Masjid Riots:

In 2024, Dinesh said that there is not need to teach kids about riots. He said that including detailed accounts of riots in school textbooks may not have a constructive effect on students. Speaking about revisions made to chapters related to events such as the Gujarat riots and the Babri Masjid demolition, he explained that the aim of school education should be to shape responsible and positive citizens.

In an interview with PTI, Saklani questioned the need to teach about riots in classrooms, saying that education should focus on building confidence and harmony rather than exposing young minds to content that could leave them disturbed or negative.