NCERT Class 9 Book Calls ‘Ram Rajya’ Model of Good Governance, NEP 2020 ‘Excellent’ Case of Policymaking
Fareeha Iftikhar | 30 September 2026 | The Print
New Delhi: The new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook describes the Narendra Modi government’s flagship policies, including National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, as examples of “good governance” and as developed through “consultation, expert advice and public participation”.
The book—Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Part 2—went on sale Tuesday, and has a chapter called ‘Governance and Public Policy’, which cites the Sanskrit saying “Prajasukhe sukham rajnah, prajanam cha hite hitam”, which translates to “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 chapter also traces the evolution of governance in India, from colonial institutions to the ancient ideal of ‘Ram Rajya’, which it describes as “one of the best examples of good governance and a good collective life”.
The chapter also stresses that governance is not the government’s responsibility alone. Citizens, elected representatives, the media, civil society and the private sector all have roles to play in ensuring effective governance and public welfare.