Vidya Bharati's Annual Press Conference

Vidya Bharati: Nation-building through value-based and inclusive education

Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan is today one of the largest educational movements in the country, committed to providing Gunatmak (quality) and Sanskriti-yukt (value-enriched) education. With a humble beginning in 1952 in Gorakhpur, it now operates in 684 districts, running 12118 schools across Bharat.

New Delhi: The Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan held its annual national press conference on June 20 at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.

Vidya Bharati: A Vision for Gunatmak Shiksha

Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan is today one of the largest educational movements in the country, committed to providing Gunatmak (quality) and Sanskriti-yukt (value-enriched) education. With a humble beginning in 1952 in Gorakhpur, it now operates in 684 districts, running 12118 schools across Bharat.

Vidya Bharati schools are located in many of the remotest areas of the country, where there is lack of basic minimum facilities and lack of access to education. This includes tribal regions and border districts. India shares its borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, China, and Myanmar, and in 127 such border districts, Vidya Bharati has established 211 schools across 167 out of 323 blocks. Apart from these, Vidya Bharati currently has over 8,000 non-formal educational centres across the country, supporting some of the marginalized segments of the society. Collectively, more than 35.33 lakh students are currently enrolled in Vidya Bharati schools under the able guidance of more than 1.53 lakh teachers.

Vidya Bharati’s alumni network stands as a testament to the enduring impact of its educational philosophy. With more than 10 lakh 30 thousand alumni registered on its dedicated portal, Vidya Bharati has emerged as the world’s largest alumni organisation. These alumni are living and serving in over 87 countries, contributing across diverse fields while carrying forward the values of service, culture, and commitment instilled during their schooling. It makes Vidya Bharati distinctive is its commitment to affordable, accessible education, especially for the unreached, children in tribal belts, border regions, and urban slums. Vidya Bharati considers education as a mission for awakening the nation. Rooted in the philosophy of “Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye” (True education is which liberates), Vidya Bharati delivers culturally grounded, academically rigorous, and inclusive education to build a self-reliant and value-conscious generation.

Values, Vision, and Technology

Vidya Bharati’s uniqueness lies in its integration of values with modern educational vision. In an era of rapidly changing technologies, Vidya Bharati ensures that AI, Robot, Coding and various digital tools are introduced responsibly, with an emphasis on ethical thinking and character development. Our schools are adopting AI-enabled learning platforms, digital classrooms, and are aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Currently, around 507 Vidya Bharati schools have Atal Tinkering Labs for hands on learning in AI and other emerging technologies. However, this progress is never at the cost of our traditional knowledge. While global benchmarks in STEM and innovation are being pursued, the moral compass is set by Bharatiya Darshan (Indian philosophy). Students participate equally in Yoga, Sanskrit recitation, cultural training, and value education. Vidya Bharati prepares students not only to compete globally but to serve society with responsibility, rootedness, and integrity.

Sanskar, Shiksha, and Skills: The Vidya Bharati Way

Beyond formal and informal education, Vidya Bharati runs several other initiatives to ensure holistic development of child. Nearly 10000 Shishu Vatikas across the country provide early childhood education for ages 3–6, drawing on Indian pedagogy through play, storytelling, crafts and Sanskar Karyakram. This stress-free model of education without bag, exams and homeworks, has been adopted by the NEP 2020 for early learning.

Our vocational centres (ITI, Jan Shikshan Sansthans, and Skill Hubs) provide employable skills to youth across tribal and rural belts. To expand reach in remote and geographically challenging regions, Vidya Bharati has established ITIs, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and Jan Shikshan Sansthans for example in Kargil (Ladakh), Shimla and Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), and Kiphire (Nagaland), bringing skill development directly to underserved communities.

Vidya Bharati also operates Sainik schools, border schools, and residential tribal schools to ensure no area is left behind. Institutions like the Bharatiya Shiksha Sodh Sansthan (Lucknow) and Samarth Bharat Anusandhan Kendra (Gandhidham) focus on research and curriculum aligned with Indian knowledge systems, while Manak Parishad (Bhopal) helps monitor school quality by accreditation and updation across the country.

Academic Results: A Testament to Excellence

The Board examination results from academic year 2024–25 reflected Vidya Bharati’s academic strength,. Over 93% succeeded in class 12th with over 2,500 students scored above 90%. Similar over 96.5% students successfully passed class 10th with more than 27,000 students secured 90% or more. It is a matter of great pride that Vidya Bharati students consistently secure top ranks in State Education Board examinations. In states like Odisha, Assam, Uttarakhand, and Punjab etc., our students have achieved first and second positions in the state, showcasing a tradition of academic excellence.

This success reflects the hard work of teachers, the role of value-based discipline, and the implementation of NEP-guided methods. 328 Vidya Bharati schools are affiliated with CBSE, while the rest perform strongly under their respective state education boards. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh, Vidya Bharati students placed in top-10 position and several in the merit list of State Education Board Examinations. The emphasis on foundational learning, scientific curiosity, and discipline is also reflected in achievements at national-level science fairs, mathematics Olympiads, and sports meets, where Vidya Bharati students consistently win top honours. As per the information received so far over, 27 alumni of the Vidya Bharati School have cleared Union Public Service Commission examination this year, with Prakash Yadav from Prayagraj, Vibhor Saraswat from Shikarpur, Bulandshahar, UP and Rishabh Chaudhary from Garoth, Madhya Pradesh securing ranks under top 50. These outcomes reaffirm our belief that common man education, when guided by values, can match and exceed global standards.

Vision 2047 and Panch Parivartan

Vidya Bharati’s roadmap is guided by the five transformative missions of Panch Parivartan:

• Samajik Samrasata – Cultivating social harmony and unity across castes, classes, and regions. Vidya Bharati promotes inclusivity by ensuring access to education for all social groups. With affordable fees and schools in tribal, rural, and border areas, the movement ensures that no child is left behind due to economic or social barriers.
• Kutumb Prabodhan – Reviving the Indian family as a centre of values, emotional strength, and civic learning. Through value-based education rooted in Indian traditions, Shishu Vatika activities and initiatives like Matri-Pitri Pujan strengthen family bonds.
• Paryavaran Sanrakshan – We can see concrete results in the field of environment in 2024–25: over 5.2 lakh saplings planted, water conservation efforts in 1,827 schools, energy saving activities in 3,939 schools, and waste management drives in 2,790 schools. Students and parents together led eco-clubs in 1,643 schools, installed 1,209 herbal gardens, and there are 3,408 campuses declared green and polythene-free.
• Swa (ससस) – Vidya Bharati nurtures a strong sense of identity through Indian languages, culture, and local wisdom. Initiatives like Sanskrit learning across schools and integration of Indian knowledge systems help students connect deeply with their roots. On the other hand, Skill Development Centres, ITIs, and Jan Shikshan Sansthans provide youth with practical, employment-oriented training across remote regions. Self-Identity + Skill Development = Self-Reliance a formula that shapes character.
• Civic Sense and Duties – In schools, Practice is undertaken in daily activities to bring constitutional duty into the practical aspects of life. Adherence of rules, respect of National symbols, honor of elders, cleanness, protection of national property etc. activities from the base of this endeavour.
• Nari Samman – Empowering girls and women with equal opportunity, respect, and leadership roles. Out of total 34,75,757 students 14,41,601 are girls. Considering the special status of a woman in the family, Vidya Bharati lays special stress on the education of girl students. Through forums like mother-daughter dialogues, adolescent counselling, and self-defence training, the organization promotes holistic empowerment rooted in Indian values.

From standing at the frontlines in times of crisis, to nurturing India’s future scientists, civil servants, and teachers, Vidya Bharati pledges to remain committed to a national renaissance through education. We invite all sections of society to support our endeavour of transforming individuals and uplifting the nation.