**Executive Summary**
The Department of Higher Education organized an interactive session on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) as part of Mission Sadhana Saptah 2026, observed from April 2nd to 8th, 2026. The event marked the Foundation Day of the Capacity Building Commission and the fifth anniversary of Mission Karmayogi, focusing on citizen-centric governance. The session aimed to integrate India’s intellectual traditions into contemporary education, research, and policymaking to foster a future-ready, knowledge-driven governance ecosystem.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Context and Mission Alignment**
* The session was conducted under the Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement (Sadhana) Saptah 2026.
* The initiative aligns with Mission Karmayogi, which utilizes the Capacity Building Commission to offer online courses for enhancing skills in citizen-centric governance.
* The event facilitated structured peer learning and deliberations on the relevance of traditional wisdom in modern governance and research.
**Integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)**
* IKS is conceptualized as a multidisciplinary framework rather than a separate discipline, intended to enrich science, engineering, humanities, and management.
* The framework encourages a shift from rote learning to a holistic model combining knowledge, application, and values (*dharma*).
* Integration is viewed as essential for building an education system that is globally competitive yet connected to its cultural roots.
**Academic and Research Objectives**
* Institutions are encouraged to offer interdisciplinary programs and foster original research rooted in India’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
* The system aims to produce graduates who are skilled professionals as well as culturally aware and socially responsible individuals.
* Rich intellectual traditions are intended to inform modern approaches to innovation, problem-solving, and policymaking.
**Impact Analysis**
**Department of Higher Education and Ministry Officials**
**Impact**
They are positioned as leaders in nurturing an adaptive and humane governance ecosystem through Mission Karmayogi.
**Action Required**
Continue organizing sessions that bring together thought leaders and practitioners to embed traditional wisdom into governance practices.
**Universities and Higher Education Institutions**
**Impact**
Institutions must adapt to contemporary educational reforms that favor multidisciplinary frameworks over isolated disciplines.
**Action Required**
Implement interdisciplinary programs and move toward holistic education models that integrate IKS into existing academic fields like engineering and science.
**Students and Future Professionals**
**Impact**
Students will receive an education that fosters critical thinking and social responsibility alongside professional skills.
**Action Required**
Engage with IKS-enriched curricula to develop a culturally aware perspective on modern problem-solving and innovation.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS): A multidisciplinary framework being integrated into higher education and research to inform modern problem-solving, innovation, and policymaking based on India's intellectual traditions.
Mission Karmayogi: India’s landmark initiative for citizen-centric governance and civil services capacity building, providing online courses to enhance professional skills.
Mission Sadhana Saptah 2026: A week-long program focused on 'Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement' in the governance and education sectors.
Capacity Building Commission (CBC): The primary body responsible for overseeing the capacity building of civil servants and offering specialized training modules under Mission Karmayogi.
Department of Higher Education: The department under the Ministry of Education responsible for organizing the integration of IKS into the academic and governance ecosystem.
Ministry of Education
Department of Higher Education organises
interactive session on Indian Knowledge
Systems (IKS) under Mission Sadhana Saptah
2026
Posted On: 09 APR 2026 12:10PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Higher Education successfully organized an interactive session on Indian Knowledge
Systems (IKS) as part of Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National
Advancement (Sadhana) Saptah 2026, observed from April 2nd to 8th, 2026.
The week marks the Foundation Day of the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) and the completion of
five years of Mission Karmayogi, India’s landmark initiative for citizen-centric governance.
The welcome address was delivered by Joint Secretary (Administration), Department of Higher
Education, Syed Ekram Rizvi, who highlighted the role of the Capacity Building Commission under
Mission Karmayogi in offering a range of online courses aimed at enhancing knowledge, skills, and
capacity for citizen-centric governance.
The session was designed to foster structured peer learning and meaningful deliberations on the relevance
of Indian Knowledge Systems in contemporary education, research, and governance. highlighted how
India’s rich intellectual traditions can inform modern approaches to problem-solving, innovation, and
policymaking.The key highlight of the event was the address by Dr. Mohan Raghavan, Associate Professor at the
Department of Biomedical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad. He was the founding Head of the Department of
Heritage Science & Technology and is also associated with Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Raghavan shared
insights from his interdisciplinary work that bridges technology, science, and India’s knowledge traditions.
The professor highlighted that while the market potential of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) is
significant, its true strength lies in its transformative role in higher education. He emphasized that IKS
should not be viewed as a separate discipline but as a multidisciplinary framework that can enrich existing
academic fields such as science, engineering, humanities, and management. By integrating IKS into higher
education, universities can move beyond rote learning to a more holistic model that combines knowledge,
application, and values (dharma). The professor also noted that this approach aligns with contemporary
educational reforms, encouraging research, innovation, and critical thinking rooted in India’s cultural and
intellectual heritage. Institutions adopting IKS can offer interdisciplinary programs, foster original
research, and create graduates who are not only skilled professionals but also culturally aware and socially
responsible individuals. This integration, he stressed, is essential for building a future-ready education
system that is both globally competitive and deeply connected to its roots.
Interaction with the participants followed in the form of an engaging Q&A session. The session
emphasized the continuing relevance of Indian Knowledge Systems in shaping holistic education and the
importance of embedding traditional wisdom into governance practices for sustainable national
advancement.
The session was attended by the senior officials of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of
Education. By bringing together thought leaders and practitioners, the Department of Higher Education
reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing a knowledge-driven, adaptive, and humane governance ecosystem
under Mission Karmayogi.
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AK
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