Integrating Indian Knowledge System with NEP 2020 in Schools
The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) encompass Jnan, Vignan, and Jeevan Darshan, reflecting insights derived from observation, experience, experimentation, and analysis. Since ancient times, IKS has significantly shaped India’s education, arts, governance, health, law, commerce, and manufacturing sectors. Recently, IKS has gained renewed importance following its inclusion as a core pillar in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which mandates the integration of IKS into the school, college, and university curricula across the country.
IKS covers a broad spectrum, extending across India’s numerous languages and dialects. Much of this knowledge is preserved within oral traditions, emphasizing regional languages, promoting bilingual education, and fostering a profound cultural appreciation among students. The integration aims to enhance communication skills, cultural pride, and multilingual competency, preparing students for a globalized world.
Indian epistemology offers a rational discourse framework based on everyday observations and environmental interactions. Traditional Indian knowledge has informed practices like sustainable agriculture, herbal medicine, and ecosystem management. Despite its relevance, IKS has often been underrepresented in formal education. Applying scientific methods to study and validate IKS practices can unlock insights that are highly applicable to contemporary challenges.
IKS presents valuable opportunities for innovation across disciplines. Initiatives like the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and the Honey Bee Network (HBN) work to document and promote grassroots innovations derived from traditional knowledge. For instance, the Mitticool refrigerator, using traditional clay cooling methods, exemplifies the potential of combining IKS with modern technology to create sustainable solutions for rural areas.
Skeptics argue that modern scientific knowledge alone suffices for present-day challenges. However, dismissing IKS would neglect its holistic, multidimensional approach to knowledge that integrates empirical, theoretical, experiential, and spiritual insights. Fields such as Ayurveda and Yoga have undergone scientific validation, demonstrating their relevance for preventive healthcare, lifestyle management, and mental well-being. The celebration of the International Day of Yoga by over 185 countries underscores Yoga’s global acceptance based on evidence-based research.
Traditional Indian agricultural practices such as crop rotation, mixed cropping, rainwater harvesting, and organic farming offer sustainable solutions that align closely with modern ecological principles. Similarly, ancient Indian contributions to astronomy, including mathematical calculations and predictive models, continue to withstand modern scientific scrutiny.
NEP 2020 emphasizes the infusion of IKS principles across disciplines in education. Students exposed to IKS develop a holistic worldview, gaining an understanding of sustainable living, environmental stewardship, and societal resilience. Integrating IKS helps students contextualize contemporary issues like climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequality, empowering them to find creative and informed solutions.
Efforts are underway to incorporate IKS into higher education curricula. This integration requires thorough planning, teacher training, and the development of credible educational resources in various Indian languages. Institutions like IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras have established dedicated centers for IKS research and education. These initiatives showcase a serious commitment by Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to promote interdisciplinary studies rooted in India’s intellectual traditions.
The University Grants Commission (UGC), along with the Ministry of Education’s IKS Division, has launched programs to build faculty capacity in this domain. Proper teacher training ensures accurate and culturally sensitive dissemination of IKS knowledge, avoiding misinformation. By empowering faculty with structured course materials and resource support, HEIs aim to deliver IKS education effectively and meaningfully.
Rather than viewing IKS as incompatible with scientific progress, integrating it into education promotes inclusivity, diversity, and respect for India’s intellectual heritage. Recognizing and preserving the richness of India’s traditional knowledge systems can lead to a more dynamic and holistic approach to education, benefiting future generations.
In conclusion, embracing the Indian Knowledge System through NEP 2020 is not just about reconnecting with the past but about building a sustainable, innovative, and culturally rooted educational framework for the future.
