CULTIVATING ETHICAL LEADERSHIP THROUGH VALUE-BASED EDUCATION: AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

In the contemporary world, ethical leadership is a necessity for fostering and brokering justice, fresher integrity, and social responsibility. India, with its philosophical traditions deep-rooted, has a strong foundation for value-based leadership. But the education system is more test-centric; it emphasizes mostly knowledge in academic subjects and creates a success-oriented career, disregarding the ethical and moral development component. This chapter considers how value-based education can foster ethical leadership by linking the very best from traditional Indian philosophies to projects and reforms in modern education. Drawn from the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and Buddhist and Jain teachings of wisdom, the chapter shows how ethical constructs such as Nishkama Karma-Action without selfishness, Ahimsa-Non-violence, and Dharma-Righteousness can channelize leaders toward responsible decision-making. As core areas of holistic education, the Government of India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has also included value-based education within its fold. The chapter will discuss the various modes through which schools and colleges can make a transition from rote learning to ethical inquiry through experiential learning, mentorship programs, and engaging with the community. Further, it discusses several challenges to promoting ethical leadership, such as market-driven education, corruption, and inadequate parental involvement while suggesting solutions to close the gap. The education will produce ethical leaders who will purely make India stand in an arena that becomes more puritanical in integrity, empathy, and accountability and builds a just society.