Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday described Vidya Bharati as a “reference point” for the country’s education system, crediting the organisation with shaping key elements of the National Education Policy (NEP), as its new central office, ‘Vidya Bharati Bhawan’, was inaugurated in the capital.
Speaking at the event, Pradhan said several NEP provisions, including mother tongue-based instruction, bag-less days, teacher training and skill development, draw from Vidya Bharati’s work in education, language and pedagogy. He positioned the organisation as an influential contributor to India’s evolving education framework.
The headquarters, located on Deendayal Upadhyay Marg, was inaugurated with Vedic rituals, marking what organisers described as a step towards strengthening value-based education rooted in Indian ethos. The ceremony was attended by senior functionaries of Vidya Bharati and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), along with educationists and other invitees. Vidya Bharati is Sangh's frontal organisation working in the field of education.
As the body got a permanent address of its own in the heart of the capital, it marks a significant milestone in its journey and influence.
In his address, Vidya Bharati general secretary Deshraj Sharma said the organisation has expanded into one of the largest non-governmental education networks globally. He said its approach goes beyond formal instruction to include cultural and value-based learning, and highlighted plans to strengthen digital infrastructure, including a proposed television channel.
Senior RSS leader Suresh Soni said that while the organisation has gained wider social acceptance, the focus should remain on the emotional and humane development of students, alongside expansion of infrastructure, in line with the goal of a developed India by 2047.
According to the organisation, Vidya Bharati operates in 684 districts, running more than 24,000 schools, 59 colleges and two universities, with around 3.3 million students and 150,000 teachers. It also runs over 10,000 Ekal Vidyalayas and centres in rural and under-served areas.
Other speakers at the event highlighted the organisation’s work in remote and conflict-affected regions, and expressed confidence that the new headquarters would support its expansion and coordination across the country.