UGC curriculum draft triggers nationwide protests amid saffronization allegations

The draft Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) released by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for nine undergraduate subjects has drawn sharp criticism from student groups and educators.

Critics argue that the framework promotes unscientific thinking and reflects ideological biases, raising concerns over its impact on higher education in India.

SFI President Adarsh M Saji and leader Srijan Bhattacharyya described the draft as an “ideologically driven and primitive curriculum framework.”

“The LOCF on chemistry starts with a salutation to Saraswati, while the commerce curriculum suggests colleges teach Kautilya’s Arthashastra. VD Savarkar’s ‘The Indian War of Independence’ has found a place in the reading list for the course on ‘Indian Struggle for Independence.’ This is an attempt to push the RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] agenda through education,” the SFI said in a statement.

The SFI also cited Article 51A(h) of the Constitution, which makes it a fundamental duty of citizens to develop a scientific temper, humanism, and a spirit of inquiry.

“This attempt by the UGC is intended to intensify saffronization and propagate an unscientific temper in higher education,” the statement added.

On Savarkar’s inclusion, the SFI said it could mislead students regarding the actual history of India’s freedom struggle.

The draft LOCF aims to standardize curriculum design across universities, emphasizing learning outcomes for each subject.

According to the UGC, the framework is intended to provide a structured pathway for undergraduate programs, define knowledge and skill expectations for students, and promote interdisciplinary learning.

It seeks to move away from rote-based learning toward a system that measures what students can actually do with knowledge in practice.

In chemistry, the framework introduces modules on traditional Indian medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and homeopathy.

Students would learn to prepare remedies and understand the use of ingredients like milk, water, and honey in treatment practices. Critics say these inclusions undermine a modern, evidence-based scientific curriculum.

The mathematics component includes concepts drawn from India’s ancient knowledge systems, covering Kala Ganana (traditional timekeeping), Sutra-based arithmetic, Shulba Sutras geometry, Surya Siddhanta and Aryabhatiyam, cosmic cycles including Yugas and Kalpas, the Panchanga (Hindu calendar), auspicious timings, and traditional Indian observatories.

It also highlights contributions of Indian mathematicians such as Aryabhata, Ramanujan, and Kaprekar.

The commerce curriculum proposes teaching Kautilya’s Arthashastra, lessons on leadership from the Bhagavad Gita, and modules on Bharat Bodh, Viksit Bharat, and Indian knowledge traditions.

The history curriculum lists VD Savarkar’s “The Indian War of Independence" for courses on India’s freedom struggle, which has sparked debate over historical accuracy and bias.

According to the UGC, the draft LOCF is designed to provide universities with a flexible framework that can be adapted to regional and institutional contexts and to incorporate experiential learning and skill development.

It aims to align Indian undergraduate education with global learning outcome standards and foster critical thinking, creativity, and employability.

Despite these objectives, students and educators have expressed concern that the framework introduces ideological content that could overshadow scientific and evidence-based education.

“Article 51A(h) of the Constitution obliges citizens to develop a scientific temper. This framework does the opposite. It pushes primitive and unscientific ideas. We do not need to learn history from those who betrayed the freedom struggle,” said Saji.

The draft LOCF is open for public feedback until Sept 20, and the UGC has invited suggestions from universities, teachers, and student groups to refine the framework before finalization.