International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development

The cultivation of leadership among school students is crucial to prepare them for participatory democracy and the challenges of a complex society. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 strongly advocates the incorporation of indigenous knowledge systems, fostering holistic growth, ethical values, and contextual skills within the curriculum. The Bhagavad Gita, an iconic Indian text acclaimed for its philosophies on duty, resilience, and self-management, provides universal principles of strong, ethical, and resilient leadership relevant for contemporary learners. This paper develops a contextual leadership framework based on the Bhagavad Gita, with five core dimensions: Determination, Sense of Enjoyment, Cognitive Approaches, Challenge Management, and Initiative Taking. Embedding these elements into curriculum and classroom practice across subjects and co-curricular activities can nurture leadership aptitude in adolescents, supporting their transition into a democratic society and contributing to school success. The synergy between IKS and modern pedagogy empowers students to embody responsible leadership, critical thinking, and self-regulation, thereby fulfilling the vision of NEP-2020 for globally aware, ethically anchored Indian citizens.

Hemanju Sagi,"Harnessing Leadership Skills through the Bhagavad Gita: Framework for Integrative School Curriculum" International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, V9(3): Page(1274-1282) May-June 2026. ISSN: 2581-7175. www.ijsred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.