25, June 2025

Integral Humanism And Antyodaya: A Moral Framework For Inclusive Development In Contemporary India

VOLUME-9; ISSUE-6; JUNE-2025

Author(s): Prof. B. Dharmalingam

Authors Affiliations:

Chair Professor, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Chair, Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu, India.

DOIs:10.2017/IJRCS/202506020     |     Paper ID: IJRCS202506020


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As India approaches the centenary of its independence in 2047, there is a renewed imperative to reassess the philosophical foundations underpinning its developmental trajectory. This study explores the contemporary relevance of Integral Humanism and Antyodaya—two indigenous frameworks articulated by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya—as normative and operational guides for inclusive development. Integral Humanism critiques the materialism of capitalism and the collectivism of socialism, offering instead a culturally rooted vision that emphasizes the holistic development of the human being—body, mind, intellect, and soul. Complementing this is Antyodaya, or “the rise of the last person,” which insists that development be assessed by its impact on the most marginalized. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research analyzes speeches, policy documents, academic literature, and implementation data of flagship welfare schemes such as DAY-NRLM, DDU-GKY, and PMJDY. The study finds that these schemes increasingly reflect the moral imperatives of empowerment, decentralization, and ethical governance central to Upadhyaya’s thought. Moreover, the convergence between Integral Humanism and the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly in areas like poverty eradication (SDG 1), gender equality (SDG 5), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10)—demonstrates their global resonance. While challenges such as institutional inertia and the absence of codified mechanisms persist, the core values of Integral Humanism and Antyodaya offer a compelling alternative to growth-centric models. This research thus argues for a development paradigm that is economically viable, socially inclusive, culturally resonant, and morally grounded—essential for building a just and compassionate India in the 21st century.

Antyodaya, Integral Humanism, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Sustainable Development Goals

Prof. B. Dharmalingam(2025); Integral Humanism And Antyodaya: A Moral Framework For Inclusive Development In Contemporary India, International Journal of Research Culture Society,    ISSN(O): 2456-6683,  Volume – 9,   Issue –  6,  Pp. 163-167.       Available on – https://ijrcs.org/

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