Parliament Question: Civic Responsibility and Social Behaviour in School Curriculum

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3827 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 Civic Responsibility and Social Behaviour in School Curriculum 3827. Shri Shahu Shahaji Chhatrapati: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether civic responsibility and social behaviour form part of the school curriculum under the National Education Policy (NEP) in the country; and (b) if so, the details of steps taken by the Government to strengthen such education from the foundational stage? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) and (b): The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisages civic responsibility and social behaviour as integral part of the school curriculum and emphasizes on development of socially responsible and value oriented future citizens by nurturing respect for others, cooperation, cleanliness, gratitude and respect for diversity. In alignment with NEP 2020, the National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) brought out the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 which recommends to integrate themes related to social behaviours and civic responsibility across the subjects. As a follow-up to this, the NCERT brought out new textbooks for Grades 1 to 8 reflecting these values and desirable social behaviour. Content and activities related to civic responsibility are integrated across the subject areas and stages to foster social behaviour, collaboration and respect for others. Values and social behaviours related to Civic Responsibility are also given importance in the Teachers’ Handbook developed by NCERT and activities are conducted during training, aiming at promoting civic values, empathy, cooperation and responsible behaviour among students.Civic responsibility related themes integrated in the form of activities, discussions and stories when contextualised by teachers help students naturally imbibe social and human values and accordingly change their behaviours gradually. *****