The main objective of drawing from our past and integrating the Indian Knowledge Systems is to ensure that our ancient systems of knowledge represented by unbroken tradition of knowledge transmission and providing a unique perspective (Bhāratiya Drishti) is used to solve the current and emerging challenges of India and the world.

The IKS is to be incorporated in scientific manner in the school and higher educational curriculums. This would include tribal knowledge and indigenous and traditional ways of learning and will cover and include mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, yoga, architecture, medicine, agriculture, engineering, linguistics, literature, sports, games, as well as governance, polity and conservation. Specific courses in tribal ethno-medicinal practices, forest management, traditional (organic) crop cultivation, natural farming, etc. will also be made available. An engaging course on Indian Knowledge Systems will also be available to students in secondary school as an elective.

The policy recognizes that the knowledge of the rich diversity of India should be imbibed first hand by learners. This would mean including simple activities, like touring by students to different parts of the country, which will not only give a boost to tourism but will also lead to an understanding and appreciation of diversity, culture, traditions, and knowledge of different parts of India. Towards this direction under ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’, 100 tourist destinations in the country will be identified where educational institutions will send students to study these destinations and their history, scientific contributions, traditions, indigenous literature, and knowledge, etc., as a part of augmenting their knowledge about these areas.

In order to realize these goals of NEP 2020, a number of activities have been undertaken by the Ministry of Education, Regulatory Bodies (UGC & AICTE) and HEIs. Some of the initiatives taken by Ministry are as under:

• Guidelines for Incorporating Indian Knowledge in Higher Education Curricula has been issued on 13.06.2023 – It emphasizes on the promotion of Indian Languages, Arts and Culture, and tries to remove the discontinuity in the flow of Indian Knowledge System (lKS) by integrating IKS into curriculums at all levels of education. 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 (interested students may be allowed to take a larger fraction of the total mandated credits). At least 50% of the credits apportioned to the IKS should be related to the major discipline and should be accounted for the credits assigned to the major discipline. The medium of instruction for the IKS courses could be any of the Indian languages.
• Guidelines for Training/Orientation of Faculty on Indian Knowledge System (IKS) has been issued on 13.04.2023 – it enables the faculties to generate a positive attitude towards IKS and promote interest in knowing and exploring more through induction programs and refresher courses.
• Guidelines for Empanelment of Artists/Artisans–in–Residence in Higher Educational Institutions has been issued on 08.05.2023 - To create collaboration between Artists and HEIs, to develop an effective structure of art education, involving skilled Kala Gurus in teaching, research, and other academic activities on a regular basis, which will synergize the artistic experience with the conventional education to be more productive and beneficial for the students.
• Guidelines for the introduction of courses based on Indian heritage and culture have been issued on 08.05.2023 – to make people familiar with the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of India and offer short term multi-tier credit based modular programme with multiple entry and exit based on Indian heritage and culture. It includes dissemination and imparting of knowledge of various dimensions of learning in the spheres of Universal human values, Vedic Maths, Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Indian Languages, sacrosanct religious regions located in the Indian subcontinent, Archaeological sites and monuments, Heritage of India, Indian Literature, Indian Sculpture, Indian Music and dance forms, Drama, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Crafts and Craftsmanship etc.
• The IKS has made provision has been established for awarding minor degree to students who complete 18 to 20 credits in IKS.
• 32 IKS Centres established to catalyse original research, education, and dissemination of IKS.
• Ongoing 75 high end inter-disciplinary research facility like ancient metallurgy, ancient town planning and water resource management, ancient rasayanshastra etc. projects are being put in place.
• Around 5200 internships on IKS have been offered.
• Conducted 50 faculty development programs, workshops, and National/International conference.
  (j) 8000+ HEIs have started adopting IKS in their curriculum and worked on digitization of 1.5 Lakhs book.
• The IKS Division of the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and partner institutions through the Dhara Conference series has succeeded in reaching at least 6Cr+ citizens of this country directly and indirectly regarding various contributions of ancient Indian Knowledge Systems, taking into consideration their relevance in the present and exploring their scope for the future.
• The IKS Division has brought together leading thinkers and practitioners of various knowledge domains to develop Vision 2047 documenting a roadmap for establishing thriving Bhāratīya Gnana Paramparā.

By drawing from our vast knowledge it would be easier to promote and enable further research to address the challenges of our present times. With such inclusion in mainstream education, these courses would inspire while restoring the legacy of our knowledge systems. Exposure to both traditional and modern ideas can help pupils better understand their cultural ethos, broaden their intellectual horizons, and boost their self-assurance.

In the First national Conference of Chief Secretaries held in June, 2022, it was decided to ensure “Research and Dissemination of Indian Knowledge System / traditional medicines to make it globally accepted as science / medicine and to develop appropriate protocol”.

It is also envisioned to ensure availability of content and courses in 22 scheduled Indian languages by implementing Project FIT - Technology for Language, In Language, Through Language and Learning experience platforms to offer personalized learning, engaging content and ‘Divyang’ friendly content in Indian Languages.

15.1 Expected Outcomes of the Session

The session would provide a forum where institutions and stakeholders can collaborate to restore and re-evolve Indian Knowledge Systems and also foster successful integration of Indian Knowledge Systems with contemporary knowledge systems.

• Discuss how the knowledge of India can be integrated with contemporary knowledge system to address current and emerging challenges of India and the world especially in the areas of health, education, agriculture, environment etc.
• Discuss mechanisms for evolving appropriate protocols for IKS studies and methodologies to integrate with research in contemporary knowledge systems in ways that are globally acceptable.
• Identify the mechanisms for incentivising the HEIs and students to perform serious scholarly inter-disciplinary research.
• Identify subjects related to IKS which will not only attract Indian students, but also foreign students which will serve the goal of Internationalisation at home.
• Find ways to achieve ‘Janbhagidari’ for the development and propagation of IKS.

15.2 Roadmap for Institutes

• Increase learning opportunities for students
  
  1. Mandatory credit component - Universities in all States/UTs may introduce learner credits or IKS electives in all courses for imbibing learners across all disciplines with traditional knowledge and pride. UGC has already made it mandatory to include 5% of the total credits in the curriculum related to the IKS courses. AICTE has introduced IKS course for the first-year students in Engineering colleges.
  2. Designing regional courses - States/UTs may document their respective native cultures, arts, crafts, traditions, architecture, food habits, languages, etc to tailor dedicated courses for learners.
  3. Scope of collaborations - Given the globalized history of India, multidisciplinary courses designed by universities may consider the scope of collaborating internationally wherever possible. For example, NCERT is undertaking inclusion of text highlighting historical ties between India and Indonesia at school level.
  4. Online/ODL courses - Existing IKS courses may be synced to digital learning platforms (SWAYAM, NPTEL) and via ODL for learners across geographies.
• Promote teacher recruitment and training
  
  1. Recruitment - Entrance exam syllabus may be launched as a subject for testing under UGC-NET to create a cadre of specialized IKS faculty and researchers.
  2. Regularized faculty training - Modules for training and orientation of educators may be designed to improve quality of classroom delivery on IKS courses.
  3. Establishment of specialized teacher training centers for training teachers in specialized topics of the Indian Knowledge Systems by specialized IKS faculty.
• Provide hands on learning opportunities
  
  1. IKS Internships – Provide avenues for student internships/apprenticeships and provide counselling to IKS learners in convergence with BGSamvahan Karyakram, the internship programme launched by the IKS Division of MoE.
  2. Hands-on-workshops: Provide opportunities for students to learn various skills in hands on workshops from the experts.
  3. Hackathons: Conduct specialized IKS themed Hackathons and include IKS related topics in the Smart India Hackathon in synergy with the topics given by IKS Division of MoE.
• Translation of academic content – Translation of Teaching Learning Materials for all disciplines into local languages may be done by IKS Centres to engage diverse learners & preserve indigenous identity.
• Support research and innovation in IKS
  
  1. Priority research funding - Dedicated research grants may be proposed through NRF in the future to boost IKS-related research proposals.
  2. Make catalytic grants that encourage original, serious, and deep scholarly research in the IKS and rejuvenate IKS research in India.
  3. Introduce IKS into the prestigious schemes such as PMRF for attracting best talent into the interdisciplinary IKS research.
  4. Promote innovation in the IKS through various grand national challenges, national competitions, and hackathons and incentivizing the innovation.
  5. International collaborations – Institutions may access global collaborations through institutions such as Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) for conducting India-centric research. Include IKS as a theme in the ASEAN fellowships to foster collaborations among scholars and nurture next generation of scholars.
• Fund institutional support mechanisms
  
  1. Establish institutional support mechanisms through the establishment of the IKS centers which will be catalysts for initiating research, education, and outreach activities in various parts of the country.
  2. Provide initial seed funding for the establishment of IKS Centers in various HEIs. Provide additional funding to establish global Centers of Excellence in focused areas.
• Promote Jan Bhagidari
  
  1. Reach out to public through various mechanisms (MyGOV competitions, conferences, exhibitions, programs on radio and television, social media, etc) to disseminate and popularize authentic IKS knowledge to develop informed and confident citizenry.
  2. Involve people in various IKS initiatives through Jan Bhagidari programs similar to citizen science initiatives.
• Create employment opportunities
  
  1. Create employment opportunities for youth through skill based IKS based programs such as IKS based beautician and cosmetician training programs, Ayurveda based dietician programs, Gandhashastra based perfumery, among many uniquely IKS based skills.
  2. Promote heritage technology by bringing technology solutions to showcase the Indian heritage to Indians and the world. Aim to capture 10% of the world tourism market values at $10.5 Trillion in 2022 and provide massive employment opportunities to our youth.