The Delhi government on Wednesday announced the introduction of a “happiness curriculum” in state-run schools from the next academic session. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the course was ready and will be launched by the Dalai Lama on July 2.

“The curriculum will be taught to around eight lakh students from Nursery up to Class 8 of all the Delhi government schools from July,” Sisodia, who is also the education minister, told reporters. Sisodia on Wednesday chaired a meeting where the final draft of the curriculum was approved.

Sisodia said work on the course had started in January. A team of 35-40 experts came up with the curriculum that will include meditation, moral values and mental exercises. He, however, said the core idea of the course was to produce “sarvagun sampan professionals” who could serve the society with happiness. “After 10 years or more, these children will become professionals like doctors and engineers filled with happiness and serve the society,” said Sisodia.

Earlier, Sisodia had said that the “happiness curriculum” would be in place from April. He had said the curriculum would be activity-based without any formal examinations.

A periodic assessment of children’s progress will be made using a happiness index.