In a major shift in school education, the Delhi government has announced the introduction of a new curriculum, Rashtraneeti, designed to blend civic awareness with historical study.

The programme, covering students from Class 1 to Class 12, will feature lessons on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alongside chapters on India’s freedom movement and nation-builders.

Education Minister Ashish Sood confirmed the rollout on Tuesday, calling it a step towards instilling “civic consciousness, ethical governance, and national pride” in students.

Launched by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on September 18 during the Namo Vidya Utsav at Bharat Mandapam, Rashtraneeti is positioned as a hands-on civic education initiative. Its modules will expose students to governance, democracy, and active citizenship while anchoring lessons in India’s social and cultural history.

RSS@100: tracing a century-long journey

A dedicated chapter titled RSS@100 will mark the centenary of the organisation founded by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur in 1925. Lessons will examine the RSS’s philosophy of discipline, service, and cultural awareness, while also documenting its role in disaster relief, Covid-19 support, and social campaigns. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi—both associated with the organisation—will also be profiled.

Beyond RSS: freedom fighters and nation-builders

The curriculum goes beyond the Sangh, spotlighting figures such as Veer Savarkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. Students will engage with both iconic and lesser-known leaders whose contributions shaped India’s independence and post-independence nation-building.

Rollout and training

Teacher handbooks are already in place, with training underway at the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). Full textbooks are scheduled for release in November after vetting concludes on October 15.

Sood defended the inclusion of the RSS, stating: “What is wrong with learning about a century-old organisation? This curriculum broadens students’ understanding of India’s social fabric while embedding civic responsibility.”

Civic lessons with historical grounding

Officials describe Rashtraneeti as an attempt to balance civic education with historical literacy—embedding lessons on duties, governance, and democratic values into the study of social movements and leaders.

As the curriculum prepares for statewide adoption, its impact on student engagement with civic duty and historical awareness is set to be closely watched.