NCERT Class 9 textbook presents Gandhi’s Ram Rajya as model of good governance

A new NCERT Class 9 social science textbook presents Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of ‘Ram Rajya’ as an ideal model of governance, placing public welfare, justice, compassion and responsibility at the heart of the relationship between the ruler and the people.

The textbook, Understanding Society India and Beyond – Part 2, released on Tuesday, describes Gandhi’s vision of Ram Rajya as being rooted in probity, transparency, compassion, welfare and a people-centric approach to governance and public policy.

The book has been introduced six months after the beginning of the new academic session, with Part 1 having been released in June.

Gandhi’s vision of Ram Rajya

In its chapter on ‘Governance and Public Policy’, the textbook draws upon references from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Vedic traditions to explain governance as a responsibility towards society rather than simply the exercise of political power.

“Mahatma Gandhi visualised ‘Ram Rajya’ as an ideal model of governance, rooted in probity, transparency, compassion, welfare and people-centric orientation in governance and public policy,” the textbook says.

It adds that Gandhi’s understanding of Ram Rajya reflects the “collective imagination of Indians from their distant past to the present day”.

The textbook describes Ram Rajya, as represented in the Ramayana and the 16th-century Ramcharitmanas, as “one of the best examples of good governance and a good collective life.”

The discussion forms part of a broader explanation of Rajdharma, referring to the duties and responsibilities associated with righteous governance.

Governance centred on people's welfare

The chapter also draws on an ancient Sanskrit saying — “Prajasukhe sukham rajnah, prajanam cha hite hitam” — which it translates as: “In the happiness of the people lies the happiness of the ruler, and in the interest of the people lies the interest of the ruler.”

The textbook says Indian traditions have historically viewed governance as a responsibility towards society.

“From the Vedic period to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Indian tradition has consistently viewed governance as a sacred responsibility rather than merely a means of exercising power,” it says.

It further notes that good governance was judged not simply by the authority of a ruler but by the peace, prosperity, justice and well-being of society.

Part of revised Class 9 curriculum

Understanding Society India and Beyond – Part 2 is part of the revised Class 9 learning material being introduced in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 and the National Education Policy 2020.

According to the published NCERT syllabus, the textbook contains six chapters spanning areas including history, geography, political science and economics.

By placing Gandhi’s concept of Ram Rajya alongside references to India's older traditions of governance, the textbook presents an approach in which the legitimacy of governance is closely connected with public welfare, justice, duty and the well-being of citizens.