Debate intensifies over UGC’s push for Indian knowledge systems in higher education

Controversy is mounting among academics and progressive education groups over the University Grants Commission’s directive to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into the curriculum of higher education institutions.

While the UGC claims the move is intended to introduce students to India’s cultural and intellectual traditions, critics argue it risks pushing a narrow ideological agenda.

In its March 2023 guidelines, the UGC instructed that IKS content must be included in all undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

To support this, it has proposed a credit system where half of the credits allocated to IKS should be relevant to the student's main discipline.

Some institutions have already begun implementation. Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), for instance, has introduced IKS modules in engineering courses from the fourth semester and will assess students through a 50-mark examination.

The UGC’s model curriculum lists 18 courses under IKS, covering areas such as Indian Health Sciences, Indian astronomy, foundational Indian literature, and traditional sciences.

Topics include the Vedic Corpus, Ramayana, Mahabharata, regional epics, and the Puranas.

There is also emphasis on Sanskrit, Vedic mathematics, and ancient astronomical systems such as panchanga and lagana.

However, several educators and social organizations have raised objections, claiming the curriculum promotes a Hindu-centric worldview.

Mavalli Shankar, convenor of Dalit Sagharasha Samiti (DSS), said, “Earlier, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, the then Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi had facilitated the teaching of astrology and other topics in the name of IKS in universities. Now the BJP-led Union government is glorifying one religion to saffronize our education system.”

He added, “The UGC has mentioned the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas in its guidelines under the topic of Foundational Literature of Indian Civilization. These are fictional stories and have no connection with Indian civilization. Is IKS only related to the Hindu religion?”

Development educationist Niranjanaradhya V P voiced similar concerns, warning that the inclusion of IKS in mainstream education risks undermining modern academic values.

“Incorporating IKS into higher education curricula is nothing but an attempt to destroy the efforts made in independent India to build a strong modern education based on systematic research, knowledge, and a scientific foundation,” he said.

He further warned that it could “hinder the development of a scientific mindset and scientific inquiry and often focus only on a myopic Hindu-centric view of ancient India. This is a violation of Article 51 A (h) of the Constitution that mandates a duty to develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.”

As the rollout of IKS gains momentum, the debate reflects deeper concerns over the ideological direction of India’s education policy and the role of universities in upholding secular and scientific values.