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New Delhi, March 11: The Supreme Court has instructed the Central Government to form a committee of experts within a week to finalize the curriculum for legal studies in NCERT textbooks.

On Wednesday, the court clarified that its directives were not meant to stifle constructive criticism of the judiciary's institutional functions.

While addressing a suo motu case regarding the Class 8 social science textbook from NCERT, which included controversial content about judicial corruption, the court noted that the chapter was prepared by a team led by Professor Michel Danino.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant ordered the Centre, along with states, Union Territories, and universities, to immediately disassociate the three experts responsible for the contentious chapter.

The textbook development team, chaired by Danino, included members Suparna Diwakar and Alok Prasanna Kumar.

The bench, which also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, stated that the three experts could petition the Supreme Court for a modification of this order.

The newly formed expert panel will consist of a former judge, an academic, and a distinguished legal practitioner to finalize the legal studies curriculum.

The bench also requested the involvement of the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal in this process.

During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government has instructed NCERT to review textbooks across all grades, not just the eighth grade.

He assured the court that a panel of experts would be established to scrutinize the curriculum.

"We have initiated systemic changes," he stated, emphasizing that no material would be published without expert review.

Mehta also mentioned that the NCERT director has submitted an affidavit offering an unconditional apology.

On February 26, the Supreme Court imposed a "complete blanket ban" on any further publication, reprinting, or digital distribution of the Class 8 social science textbook due to its "offensive" content regarding judicial corruption, stating that the judiciary is "bleeding" from the impact.

The court noted a potential "deep-rooted conspiracy" aimed at undermining the judiciary's integrity and ordered the immediate seizure and removal of all copies of the book, both physical and digital, from public access.