Delhi govt replaces AAP's education programs with new initiatives focused on nationalism and entrepreneurship

The Happiness Curriculum, Business Blasters, and Mission Buniyaad—hallmark education programs introduced by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government—will no longer be offered by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi government, Education Minister Ashish Sood announced on March 28.

He added that new initiatives, including Rashtraneeti, the New Era of Entrepreneur Ecosystem and Vision (NEEEV), and Science of Living, will replace the current programs.

Sood claimed that the AAP's educational initiatives were designed more for publicity and political gain than for the welfare of students.

“The AAP government’s education schemes (Business Blasters, Happiness Curriculum, and Mission Buniyaad) focused on advertisements and gaining political mileage rather than helping students become self-reliant and prepared for the world,” he said.

“The BJP government has allocated funds in the new budget for new schemes that will replace the previous ones. After completing the administrative formalities, we will launch them,” Sood added.

Under NEEEV, students in Class 8 and above will collaborate with startups and companies to gain real-world experience.

According to a senior official from the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), NEEEV will provide ₹20,000 as seed funding to student groups, in place of the ₹2,000 allocated to individual students under Business Blasters.

“We will provide on-the-ground training by connecting them with startups and industries, so they can learn practical knowledge from real-world experiences. The students don't lack anything; they just need the opportunities to learn,” Sood explained.

“This approach fosters teamwork and real-world business experience,” the SCERT official added.

In addition, the government is launching the Science of Living program, which will integrate various well-being projects into one cohesive framework.

Rashtraneeti, a curriculum designed to promote civic duty and nationalism, will also be introduced. Science of Living will include yoga, meditation, moral principles, caring for the elderly, and gender sensitization.

“Students will also learn traffic rules and legal awareness to help them become responsible citizens,” Sood said.

Under the Rashtraneeti initiative, the government aims to "instill the values of nationalism" in students.

The administration also plans to introduce "no-bag days," where students will engage in interactive lessons focused on community development and nationalism.

Under the Rashtraneeti scheme, the government intends to “develop the values of nationalism” among children.

“Our goal is to instill confidence and real-world readiness in students,” Sood said.

For better implementation, programs that were previously separate—such as the Happiness Curriculum, yoga classes, and rural trips—will now be combined under the Science of Living framework, according to a senior SCERT official.

Launched in 2018, the AAP's "Happiness Curriculum" emphasized emotional health, while "Business Blasters," introduced in 2021, focused on fostering entrepreneurial skills.

“A structured timetable will ensure everything is covered efficiently, rather than spreading activities over weeks,” the official continued.

Although some have praised the AAP's educational initiatives for their creativity, the BJP's reforms represent a dramatic shift in Delhi’s educational approach, with an emphasis on nationalism.