Parliament Question: Indian Knowledge System (IKS) courses in educational institutions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4193 ANSWERED ON-01/04/2026 Indian Knowledge System (IKS) courses in educational institutions 4193. Dr. Laxmikant Bajpayee: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the steps taken to effectively introduce the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) course in all educational institutions of the country including higher education and school education to address the rapidly growing challenges of mental health issues; (b) by when it will be introduced in all educational institutions of the country as the Second Education model to mentally and spiritually empower our children; and (c) by when it is likely to be mandatorily introduced through all school boards, UGC and even through other regulatory bodies governing engineering, medical, pharmacy etc., the details thereof and if not to be introduced, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (c): The Government of India has framed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with an aim to promote a holistic and multidisciplinary education systems, with a focus on the integration and promotion of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). The Policy also envisages strengthening learner-centric and holistic education, fostering digital learning and the effective use of technology, enhancing institutional governance, accreditation and industry collaboration, promoting academic research and internationalization, and furthering the development of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). In alignment with vision of NEP 2020, the Government has undertaken several curriculum reforms across the education ecosystem. In this respect, National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, an initiative of the Ministry of Education, provides five aims of school education, including the development of rational and independent thinking, promotion of health and well-being through holistic mind-body wellness, strengthening community, economic and cultural participation. One of the chapters of NCFSE 2023 namely “Rootedness in India” focuses on civilizational heritage and the Indian Knowledge Systems across different stages of school education.In order to integrate Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in school curriculums, several measures have been undertaken including the introduction of “Knowledge Traditions and Practices of India” as an optional elective in Classes XI–XII. In addition, NCERT has brought out Jaadui Pitara- a collection of teaching- learning materials for Balvatika catering children in the age group of 3–6 years. These text-books integrate Indian Knowledge Systems, the freedom movement, constitutional values, local history and languages. Further, Manodarpan, an initiative of the Ministry of Education, has been launched to promote the overall well-being of students and teachers within the education ecosystem. In alignment with the vision of holistic development envisaged under the National Education Policy, 2020, the initiative incorporates principles from Indian Knowledge Systems, with a view to fostering emotional resilience and self-awareness among students. The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, through its Central Sector Scheme i.e., Indian Knowledge System (IKS), also promotes research, curriculum integration, and capacity building in India’s traditional knowledge systems. The scheme has implemented several programmes to promote Indian knowledge and traditions in education system such as IKS Minors Programme, IKS Interdisciplinary Research through IKS Research for Proposals Program and IKS Research Centre Proposals Program; IKS textbook and course material writing programme; IKS Institutional Internships; IKS Panchatantra Project; Faculty Development Programmes and workshops; Digitization & Bhāratīya Jñāna Saritā and IKS Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (IKS-TKDL) Workshop. More than 100 IKS Centres have been established across Higher Education Institutions and 140 interdisciplinary research projects have been approved to build research capacity as on date. The details of courses offered through IKS Centres are available at https://iksindia.org/courses-offered-by-iks-centers.php. Further, Government has undertaken several initiatives to integrate indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream education. In this respect, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified following Guidelines: i. Guidelines for Incorporating Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in Higher Education Curricula. It prescribes that every student enrolled in a UG or PG programme should be encouraged to take credit courses in IKS amounting in all to at least 5% of the total mandated credits. ii. Guidelines for HEIs for inculcation of Human Values and Professional Ethics (Mulyaprava) iii. Guidelines for introducing courses based on Indian heritage and culture ******