Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Rajasthan Police SI Vacancy 2025 REET Notification 2025 UPPSC RO ARO Admit Card 2025 Bihar Police Driver Vacancy 2025 UP GIC Lecturer and Assistant Professor Notification 2025 RPSC Senior Teacher 2025 Notification RPSC School Lecturer 2025 Notification UPSC Mains Exam Schedule 2025 UGC NET June 2025 Result Date Bihar Sakshamta Pariksha Admit Card 2025 UP LT Grade Teacher Notification 2025 in Hindi UP LT Grade Teacher 2025 Notification UPSC CMS Admit Card 2025 Out HTET New Exam Date 2025 OTET Admit Card 2025 RRB Railway Teacher Application Status 2025 CSIR NET Exam Date 2025 UPSC DAF 1 2025 UPSC Prelims Result 2025 UPSC IFS Result 2025 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike News UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key UPSC 2026 Calendar UPSC Admit Card 2025 UPSC Prelims Result Date 2025 UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 UPSC Final Result 2025 UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey UPSC Application Rejected List 2025 UPSC Application Date Re-Extended UPSC Notification 2025 UPSC Admit Card 2025 for Prelims UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC IFS Notification 2025
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
ISRO Space Missions
NVS-02 ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-A ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-B ISRO Space Mission Proba-3 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-N2 ISRO Space Mission EOS-08 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DS ISRO Space Mission XPoSat ISRO Space Mission Aditya-L1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-3 ISRO Space Mission NVS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-07 ISRO Space Mission INS-2B ISRO Space Mission EOS-06 ISRO Space Mission EOS-02 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-24 ISRO Space Mission INS-2TD ISRO Space Mission EOS-04 ISRO Space Mission EOS-03 ISRO Space Mission CMS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-01 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-30 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2BR1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan 2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2B ISRO Space Mission EMISAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-31 ISRO Space Mission Microsat-R ISRO Space Mission GSAT-7A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-11 ISRO Space Mission HysIS ISRO Space Mission GSAT-29 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1I ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6A ISRO Space Mission INS-1C ISRO Space Mission Microsat ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1H ISRO Space Mission GSAT-17 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-19 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-9 ISRO Space Mission Cartosat-2 Series Satellite INS-1A ISRO Space Mission INS-1B ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-18 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DR ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1G ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1F ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-15 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1D ISRO Space Mission Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) ISRO Space Mission GSAT-16 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1C ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1B ISRO Space Mission GSAT-14 ISRO Space Mission Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft GSAT-7 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3D ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1A ISRO Space Mission SARAL ISRO Space Mission GSAT-10 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-1 ISRO Space Mission Megha-Tropiques ISRO Space Mission GSAT-12 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-8 ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2 ISRO Space Mission YOUTHSAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-5P ISRO Space Mission GSAT-4 ISRO Space Mission Oceansat-2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-1 ISRO Space Mission IMS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4CR ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4B ISRO Space Mission SRE-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4A ISRO Space Mission HAMSAT ISRO Space Mission EDUSAT ISRO Space Mission IRS-P6 / RESOURCESAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3A ISRO Space Mission KALPANA-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3C ISRO Space Mission GSAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3B ISRO Space Mission Oceansat(IRS-P4) ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2E ISRO Space Mission IRS-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2D ISRO Space Mission IRS-P3 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2C ISRO Space Mission IRS-P2 ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1E ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C ISRO Space Mission IRS-1B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1C ISRO Space Mission SROSS-2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1B ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-D2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1A ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-II ISRO Space Mission Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) ISRO Rohini Satellite RS-D1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Technology Payload (RTP) ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-I ISRO Space Mission Aryabhata ISRO Space Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Sarvodaya Movement

Sarvodaya Movement: Objectives and Principles For UPSC!

Also Read Sarvodaya Movement in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism In India Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

Sarvodaya is a word that stands for 'Progress of All.' This term was coined by Mahatma Gandhi as the title of his translation of John Ruskin's book 'Unto This Last.' Gandhi started the Sarvodaya movement, and this is often considered an addition to his efforts towards his non-violence policy. The main aim of this movement was to establish a new India based on the concept of non-violence and aimed at developing India's social, moral, and political independence. 

The Sarvodaya movement focused on the welfare of the people. It also focused on the upliftment of both the rich and poor classes. Later Gandhians like the activist Acharya Vinoba Bhave used this term for the social movement in the post-independence era. It further worked to ensure that self-determination and equality reached all sections of Indian society efficiently.

Topics related to important historical events form an important part of the UPSC Civil Services exam under the syllabus of the General Studies- 1 paper. Questions related to these events are frequently asked in the UPSC CSE Preliminary exam as well.

This article will discuss in a detailed way the background of the Sarvodaya Movement, its origins, causes, significance, etc. which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Read about the Orthodox Schools of Indian Philosophy here.

Sarvodaya Movement: Overview

The Sarvodaya Movement aims to create a harmonious society around us centered around the principles of mutual happiness, peace, and prosperity. It seeks the welfare of all citizens and the progress of society. It believes that the values of equality, freedom, and fraternity have great relevance for the development of society in paving the way for an integral community. It also aims to replace the politics of power with cooperation to ensure an inclusive society.

Gandhi was the first person to advocate the concept of Sarvodaya, and he based his movement on three basic principles which were:

  • The good of the individual is contained in the interest of all beings.
  • A lawyer's work has the same value and respect as the barber's work, as everyone has the same right to earn their livelihood.
  • A life of labor, i.e., the landless farmer and the handicraftsman's life, is a life worth living with respect. 

Learn about the Difference between Gandhi's and Tagore's Nationalism here.

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Principles of the Sarvodaya Movement

The Sarvodaya Movement bases itself on various premises like spiritualism, democracy, peace, moral and ethical values, etc. It calls for an inclusive society where everyone has the right to live in dignity. Some constituents of Sarvodaya are even mentioned under the Indian Constitution.

Spiritualism

Spiritualism is the metaphysical school of thought which opposes physicalism and seeks to achieve inner happiness. In terms of the Sarvodaya movement, it believes that social reconstruction cannot be undertaken under a worldly point of view. 

  • Sarvodaya Movement requires renunciation with materialism to render efficient service to humankind.
  • Sarvodaya Movement tries to include the idea that the spiritual or idealistic domain is far superior to that of the materialistic world.
  • Sarvodaya Movement is applicable to all beings in society, whether rich or poor, capitalists or feudal. 

Thus, the Sarvodaya Movement emphasizes a change from a narrow dimension of materialism to that of the higher idea of spiritualism.

Peace as a weapon

Sarvodaya Movement calls for the philosophy of non-violence, as violence has no place in it. Sarvodaya Movement states its beliefs in the purity of means as a measure to solve all societal problems. 

  • It aims at transformation among human beings and believes in self-reliance and self-discipline philosophy. 
  • The concept negates the use of power by the State, even for the promotion of social welfare. 

Moral and ethical values

Sarvodaya Movement puts moral and ethical values at the forefront of the movement and aims to ensure a just society. 

  • Values are ideals of someone or a group about what is good or bad. Sarvodaya Movement attempts to put forward the ideals of social values to the forefront of finding solutions to social problems. 
  • In terms of politics, capturing and perpetuating political power via corrupt means is seen as a norm. Here, the service motto and objective are given up because of wealth and power.

Thus, Sarvodaya Movement makes a brave attempt to rectify such things and help build up the moral and spiritual values in the socio-political and economic life in India.

Democratic Nation

Sarvodaya Movement criticizes the modern concept of power and politics as today. Powerful parties who dominate the elections reduce the ideals of democracy to myths. As a result, there are conflicts, factions, and groups in society, which destroy social harmony and unity.

  • Sarvodaya Movement calls for democracy without the political parties which are unsuitable for the harmony of society. The Sarvodaya philosophy instead calls for party politics and electoral mechanisms to be replaced. This will be done by the application of community consensus.
  • The Sarvodaya system has no place for the majority or minority parties. People's consensus replaces them.
  • Under the Sarvodaya system, an attempt has to be made to nominate the workers through universal consensus. This will be done from all the villages who would constitute the members of panchayats. 
  • Similarly, the District, State, and national level panchayat members are nominated via community consensus and not on the basis of political parties. They are nominated by a united group consisting of all the benevolent people in the country. These people would carry out the community programs which are mutually agreed upon. 

Society Without State

The Sarvodaya philosophy believes in the establishment of a stateless and classless society for the end of justice. The view is similar to that of Karl Marx on the State. 

  • It calls for ending the State. The state is the source of coercion and punishment. It calls for the further emergence of a stateless society. 
  • It views the State as an obstruction to the ideal growth of human society. It does not consider the State but society as an instrument of socioeconomic changes in the country.

Village Council

Sarvodaya Movement emphasizes the autonomous and independent village community system. The same is fulfilled under Article 40 of the Indian Constitution. 

  • Under this Sarvodaya movement, every village becomes self-reliant and aims at uplifting the people.
  • Every village will have a village council in it which is composed of a member from every family and background. This council elects unanimously a community that would be responsible for conducting all affairs of the village. 
  • The council has the lands of the village in the form of a trust and there is no personal ownership of the same where the council would make periodic allotments to the farmers.
  • This system involves an element of cooperation and collaboration, and here the ownership is held by the village coupled with individual cultivation. 
  • The Sarvodaya movement accepts the basic principle of universalization of self-governance. 
  • Under such a system, the citizens tend to be informed, active, and participative via cooperative action. Sarvodaya Movement is the basis of man's total and integral well-being in contemporary times.

Read about the First Round Table Conference 1930 here. 

Objectives of the Sarvodaya Movement 

The Sarvodaya Movement had multi-fold objectives as it sought to build a society around the principles of peace and harmony. 

  • There is no centralized state authority under the Sarvodaya movement. The political and economic atmosphere aims toward growth in the villages.
  • Politics will not be an instrument of power but an agency of service and cooperation and ensure all participation. 
  • The spirit of love, truth, fraternity, non-violence, and self-sacrifices would be set in the society. It will further function based on non-violent principles.
  • There will be no party system or majority rule. The society ought to be free from any tyranny of the majority. 
  • The Sarvodaya society is termed socialist in a true sense. People have the same moral, social, and economic values here. The individuals here have the full scope for development.
  • The Sarvodaya society is based on equality, fraternity, and liberty. There is no place for unhealthy competition, exploitation, and hatred.
  • Sarvodaya Movement stands for the progress of all, where individuals are supposed to do individual labor and follow the ideals of non-possession. Doing this would make it possible to realize the goal of equality and equity in society.
  • There will be no private property which is seen as the instrument of exploitation under socialism and also the source of social distinctions. 
  • Truth, non-violence, and self-denial are the main objectives of the Sarvodaya Movement. 
  • The Sarvodaya Movement attempts to create the necessary surroundings to bring together individuals with a faith in the 'Welfare of All' policy.

Read about the Revolt of 1857 here. 

Significance of the Sarvodaya Movement

The Sarvodaya movement aims to uplift the downtrodden in society via socialistic measures and to build a harmonious community based on the philosophy of non-violence. 

  • Sarvodaya Movement doesn't discriminate against people based on their caste, color, religion, gender, or social or even economic status.
  • The Sarvodaya Movement ensures that every human is treated equally and with dignity.
  • Sarvodaya Movement also focuses on establishing a community based on the concepts of non-violence, where freedom is given on equal terms to all. 

Read about the Difference between Alvars and Nayanars here. 

Limitations of the Sarvodaya Movement

Sarvodaya is a concept rich in ideology; however, there are many drawbacks of the same, as the movement's ideals cannot be put into practice.

  • The Sarvodaya movement is suitable for small communities and challenging to implement in today's diverse and complex world.
  • Industrialization is the key to success and development in the modern world.
  • A society without a state could result in anarchy due to a lack of governance. 
  • De-centralization may not be suitable for every context, and thus, the ideals of the Sarvodaya Movement are not universal.

Read about the Allied and Axis Powers in the Second World War here. 

Conclusion

The political philosophy of the Sarvodaya Movement is a brilliant attempt to build a political and social concept of upliftment based on metaphysical idealism. It is further centered on the insights and works of Gandhi, who coined the term, along with his visions of an independent India. The combination of partyless democracy and self-government is a standout contribution from the standpoint of Indian political thought. The socialist policies of the Sarvodaya Movement may appear against the modern industrial trends of civilization. Still, it has added the new radical goals of the common ownership of the land of the village by the village community and the formation of a decentralized village commonwealth in return towards the ends of justice and peace. 

Read about the Champaran Satyagraha here. 

We hope all your doubts related to the Sarvodaya Movement are addressed after going through this article. Testbook also provides comprehensive notes for Civil services and various other competitive examinations like content pages, live tests, GK and current affairs mocks, and so on. Ace your UPSC preparation with Testbook. Download the Testbook App now!

The UPSC aspirants can also take the help of Testbook's UPSC Online Coaching to boost their UPSC Exam preparation! You can also study other major topics related to UPSC IAS Exams with Testbook!

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Sarvodaya Movement FAQs

Gandhi envisaged the Sarvodaya Movement. He aimed to create a harmonious society centered around the principles of happiness, peace, and prosperity. It implies the welfare of all citizens and society as a whole. It upholds the values of equality, freedom, and fraternity.

The Sarvodaya Movement sought to bring multiple changes to society. It included de-centralization and called for an ideal atmosphere in the villages. The society was to be based on equality and liberty. It negated any form of private property. It also based itself on truth and non-violence to achieve the ends of harmony.

Mahatma Gandhi is the originator of the Sarvodaya Movement. He based the movement on the principles of mutual happiness, peace, and prosperity. It is often considered an addition to his efforts toward his non-violence policy.

Acharya Vinoba Bhave was a non-violent freedom activist and a social reformer born in 1895. He dedicated his life to serving the downtrodden based on Gandhian principles. He stood up for their rights. He was also conferred with the Bharat Ratna award posthumously in 1983.

Sarvodaya movement was started by Gandhiji in the early 20th Century.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice