[2][3] Ranade served as an activist, ideologue, and leader for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu Nationalist volunteer organization.

[2][3] After working for the RSS in Nagpur, Ranade moved to Mahakoshal, Madhya Pradesh, as a Pranth Pracharak (Provincial organizer) in 1938.

After Golwalkar's arrest, Ranade led the satyagraha and participated in secret negotiations with Sardar Patel, the nation's Home Minister.

Ranade formed a constitution in association with fellow RSS members Prabhakar Balwant Dani and Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras, but it did not meet government expectations.

As a result, it was redrafted to include clauses such as allegiance to the Indian Constitution and Flag, shunning violence, only enrolling minors to the movement with the permission of their parents, setting procedures for election of sarsanghchalak and so forth.

In 1972, Ranade founded the Vivekananda Kendra, centred at Kanyakumari, as a Hindu spiritual organisation based on the principles of "Renunciation and Service".

After receiving positive responses to the scheme from RSS chief M. S. Golwalkar and others, Ranade established the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Organising Committee and became its Organizing Secretary.

[4] After the idea was initially rejected by Humayun Kabir, then Minister of Education and Culture; Ranade gathered support from over 300 members of the Indian Parliament.

Ranade also managed to win endorsement for the project from parts of the political and spiritual community, including sections traditionally in opposition to RSS.

[11] After the project was approved, Ranade led volunteers to raise funds for construction of Vivekananda Rock Memorial from donors across the country, and encouraged every citizen to donate as minimum as 1 Rupee, as Jan-Bhagidaari (Participation of people) scheme.