India, Feb. 26 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a blanket ban on a Class 8 NCERT textbook containing a chapter on corruption in the judiciary, directing authorities to seize all physical copies and ensure immediate removal of its digital versions.

The apex court ordered the Centre and state governments to comply with its directions without delay, warning of "serious action" in case of any defiance. It also issued show-cause notices to the NCERT Director and the School Education Secretary, asking them to explain why action should not be initiated against those responsible for the publication.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that the inclusion of the contentious content appeared to be a "calculated move" to und...