What kind of नागरिक (citizen)? Civic orientations in Indian education policy

Abstract

This article examines the civic mission of Indian schools by applying four civic orientations for Indian citizenship – liberalism, republicanism, ethno-nationalism and non-statism – to Indian education policy. The findings indicate that no one civic orientation dominates; therefore, Indian schools – at least at the policy level – must take up some version of each orientation. This political landscape raises several open questions about how Indian schools can cultivate democratic people – an important prerequisite to fulfilling the promise of Indian democracy.