RSS is a national volunteer organisation. It is completely a patriotic organisation. It is widely regarded as one of the principal organisations of the Sangh parivar. It has its own commitment of selfless service to the nation. It is the world's largest voluntary organisation.

The initial impetus was to build up character through discipline and to unite the Hindu community to form a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation). The organisation promotes the ideals of upholding Indian culture. It promotes the values of an ideal civil society. It propagates the ideology of Hindu culture to strengthen the majority of Hindu community. It drew initial inspiration from European right-wing groups during World War II. Gradually, RSS grew into a prominent Hindu nationalist organisation sprawling with several affiliated organisations that established numerous schools, charities, and clubs to spread its ideological beliefs.

Hindu ceremonies and rituals played a large role in the organisation, not so much for religious observance but to provide awareness of India's glorious past and to bind the members in a religious communion. The saffron flag of Shivaji, the Bhagwa Dhwaj, was used as the emblem for the new organisation. Its public task was involved in protecting Hindu pilgrims at festivals and confronting any resistance against Hindu processions.