India, July 7 -- The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a new Class 9 Social Science textbook that describes the Indian judiciary as an "independent" institution, weeks after withdrawing a Class 8 chapter that had sparked debate over its references to the judiciary and constitutional issues.

The newly released textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond - Part 1, explains that the judiciary functions independently of the executive and legislature and plays a crucial role in upholding the Constitution, protecting citizens' rights and ensuring justice.

The chapter states that an independent judiciary is a key pillar of Indian democracy as it interprets laws, resolves disputes, safeguards fundame...