Gandhiji’s idea of basic education has a far-reaching and a powerful tool to bring social transformation in society. It promotes an intellectual, physical and moral dimensions of education among the learners and intends to nurture self-reliant individuals along with fostering communal bond. This article explores the historical context of his basic education, its fundamental principles and contemporary reaction to it. It would further examine renewed relevance of his ideas in today’s multicultural, pluralistic and neo-liberal economic environment where individuals and groups increasingly assert their own identities and engage in fierce competition.

Article would highlight that how the neglect of Gandhian principles has contributed for the emergence of several modern social challenges such as rapid migration, decline of rural society and economy, weakening community affiliations, linguistic superiority, communal tensions, psychological distress, widening economic disparities and aversion to manual labour. By revisiting the foundational philosophy of basic education, this article aims to suggest that how Gandhian thought can offer meaningful pathways to enrich and strengthen the current democratic environment.

Moreover, the article critically evaluates National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to assess the extent to which it incorporates elements of Gandhian vision of education. It investigates whether the policy addresses the social crises emerging from present education and economic systems and whether it succeeds in promoting holistic, inclusive and value-based education in alignment with Gandhian ideals.