MUMBAI — Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has called for a systemic overhaul of India’s education sector, asserting that quality learning must be treated as a fundamental necessity rather than a commercial venture. Speaking at a public event in Mumbai, Bhagwat explicitly backed demands for the government to allocate 6% of the national gross domestic product (GDP) to education, a target that has remained a persistent goal of Indian policy for decades but has rarely been met in practice.
The RSS chief’s remarks center on the belief that the current educational framework is increasingly characterized by commercialization, which creates barriers for lower-income families. Bhagwat emphasized that the primary objective of educational reform should be to ensure that learning is both accessible and affordable for every citizen, regardless of their socioeconomic standing.
What Happened
During his address in Mumbai, Mohan Bhagwat focused on the intersection of national development and educational accessibility. He argued that the current trajectory of the education sector—marked by rising tuition costs and the proliferation of profit-driven institutions—contradicts the goal of inclusive growth.
Bhagwat specifically advocated for the 6% GDP allocation, a figure that represents a significant increase over current spending levels. He stated that the structure of the education system must be redesigned to remove the financial burdens currently imposed on families. By framing education as a “necessity,” Bhagwat suggested that the state must take a more proactive role in ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge is not contingent upon a family’s ability to pay.
The RSS chief’s call for reform is not merely about funding, but about the philosophy of delivery. He argued against the “business” model of education, suggesting that when profit becomes the primary driver of educational institutions, the quality and accessibility of learning are compromised.
Why It Matters
The endorsement of the 6% budget allocation by the head of the RSS is significant due to the organization’s ideological influence over the current governing administration. While the government has implemented the National Education Policy (NEP), the actual budgetary disbursement has often lagged behind the policy’s ambitious goals.
When the RSS chief publicly calls for increased spending and a crackdown on the commercialization of education, it signals a potential shift in pressure on the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance. This position highlights a tension between the neoliberal trend of privatizing public services and the traditionalist/socialist view that essential services like education should be state-guaranteed and non-profit.
Furthermore, this stance addresses a growing public grievance regarding the “education inflation” in India. As private coaching centers and expensive private universities become the primary gateways to professional success, a widening gap has emerged between those who can afford premium education and those reliant on underfunded state institutions. Bhagwat’s intervention suggests that the RSS views this disparity not just as an economic issue, but as a systemic failure that hinders national cohesion.
Analysis: The Political and Economic Implications
The demand for a 6% GDP allocation is not a new one; it has been a cornerstone of various National Policy on Education (NPE) documents since 1968. However, the gap between the stated policy goal and the actual expenditure has remained a point of contention for economists and activists.
By framing education as a “necessity, not a business,” Bhagwat is directing a critique toward the “ed-tech” boom and the proliferation of private corporate universities. This framing suggests that the RSS is wary of the influence of Big Tech and corporate interests in the shaping of the Indian mind. It represents a pivot toward a more state-led, social-welfare approach to human capital investment.
From a budgetary perspective, moving to a 6% allocation would require a massive reallocation of national resources. This would likely necessitate a reduction in spending in other sectors or a significant increase in tax revenue. The fact that the RSS is now championing this specific figure suggests that the organization views the current investment in human capital as insufficient to meet the demands of a modern, competitive global economy.
Background and Context
India’s struggle to meet the 6% GDP target for education is well-documented. While the National Education Policy 2020 reaffirmed this goal, actual spending has historically hovered closer to 3% to 4.5%. This shortfall has led to a surge in private sector participation, which, while expanding capacity, has also led to the commercialization that Bhagwat criticized.
The “business of education” in India encompasses a vast ecosystem, from K-12 private schools to the massive “shadow education” industry of coaching hubs in cities like Kota. These entities often operate with high profit margins, while government-run schools in rural and semi-urban areas frequently struggle with basic infrastructure, teacher shortages, and outdated curricula.
The RSS has long been involved in education through its affiliate, the Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan, which runs one of the largest networks of schools in the country. This gives the organization a unique vantage point on the operational challenges of schooling and the impact of funding gaps on student outcomes.
What to Watch Next
Following these remarks, observers will be looking for several key indicators to see if this rhetoric translates into policy:
1. Budgetary Adjustments: Whether the upcoming union budgets show a measurable move toward the 6% GDP target.
2. Regulatory Scrutiny: Increased government oversight or new regulations aimed at capping fee hikes in private educational institutions to curb “commercialization.”
3. Public-Private Partnerships: A shift in how the government engages with private players, potentially moving away from profit-driven models toward non-profit or subsidized frameworks.
4. Infrastructure Investment: A surge in funding for government schools and universities to make them viable alternatives to expensive private options.
Conclusion
Mohan Bhagwat’s call for education to be treated as a necessity rather than a business marks a critical intersection of ideological conviction and public policy. By backing the 6% GDP allocation, the RSS chief is challenging the state to move beyond policy rhetoric and commit the financial resources necessary to democratize quality education. If the government aligns its budgetary priorities with this demand, it could signal a major shift in India’s approach to human capital, prioritizing accessibility and social equity over market-driven educational growth.
Sources:
Hindustan Times – [Accessible and affordable for everyone: Mohan Bhagwat on education reforms](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/accessible-and-affordable-for-everyone-mohan-bhagwat-on-education-reforms-rss-chief-mumbai-event-101786029282523.html)
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Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
