Starting from July 2026, undergraduate students in India will have to fulfill credit requirements in Indian Knowledge Systems, marking a significant change in the landscape of higher education.
Universities in India are set to introduce a mandatory credit framework that integrates Indian Knowledge Systems into undergraduate education, in line with the National Education Policy 2020 and directives from the University Grants Commission. This reform mandates that students earn a minimum of five percent of their total credits through courses exploring traditional knowledge systems of India.
A New Era in Education
The requirement for Indian Knowledge Systems credits signifies more than just a mere adjustment in the curriculum. It represents a fundamental shift in the approach to undergraduate education. Students pursuing diverse fields like engineering, sciences, humanities, or commerce will now delve into courses that cover classical Indian philosophy, ancient scientific traditions, linguistic structures, traditional arts, and indigenous wisdom systems.
Imagine an engineering student studying Panini’s grammatical logic alongside computational algorithms, or a life sciences major exploring Ayurvedic wellness principles in conjunction with modern pharmacology. This integration of ancient and modern knowledge is set to become a reality in campuses nationwide from mid-2026.
Practical Application Over Nostalgia
The architects of this framework stress its practical application rather than a nostalgic undertone. In a time that demands critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and ethical reasoning, Indian Knowledge Systems provide robust methodologies for inquiry and philosophical depth that cultivate these essential skills.
According to a UGC official, the focus is on equipping students with broadened thinking abilities. By understanding how ancient Indian knowledge systems relate to contemporary disciplines, students develop analytical frameworks that transcend traditional boundaries.
The requirement ensures that a portion of IKS credits align with students’ major fields of study, ensuring organic integration rather than a peripheral addition. For example, a mathematics student may explore geometric principles in the Sulba Sutras, while a medical student may delve into traditional ecological wisdom alongside environmental science.
Reviving Ancient Wisdom
This initiative consciously mirrors the ethos of historic Indian universities like Nalanda and Takshashila, which were renowned for attracting scholars globally. These ancient centers didn’t merely preserve knowledge; they actively engaged with it, debated it, and evolved it.
Today’s reform follows this spirit by encouraging students to not just memorize ancient texts but to critically assess their contemporary relevance. How can Nyaya logic enhance modern analytical thought? What insights can be gained from classical Indian metallurgy for today’s materials scientists?
These inquiries delve into living ideas that have shaped human understanding over centuries and can enrich students’ thinking, reasoning, and innovation in the present day.
Challenges in Implementation
The scale of this change inevitably brings about challenges. Educators and students have raised concerns about the logistics of implementation and the potential strain on already demanding academic schedules. Some argue that courses should remain optional to prevent overwhelming students.
These concerns are being taken seriously, with universities already designing IKS courses and modules. Interdisciplinary centers are also emerging to guide research and teaching in this area. Some universities have offered IKS electives to test pedagogical approaches and gather feedback from students.
The broader challenge lies in bridging the gap between standardized curricula and India’s indigenous knowledge traditions. This framework aims to integrate ancient wisdom not as a superficial addition but as an active partner in shaping future scholars.
Implications Beyond the Classroom
This reform signifies India’s higher education sector asserting intellectual sovereignty by acknowledging valid knowledge systems beyond Western academic traditions. It also responds to global conversations on decolonizing curricula and recognizing diverse epistemologies.
For students, this framework offers the dual advantage of connecting with cultural heritage while engaging with global knowledge. In a world where graduates operate in diverse cultural settings, understanding one’s intellectual heritage alongside global knowledge becomes invaluable.
A New Chapter in Education
From July 2026, India’s undergraduate classrooms will be transformed into spaces where past and present interact on equal footing. Science majors will explore Vedic cosmology while coding, arts students will trace aesthetic logic from classical to contemporary forms, and engineering students will blend ancient architectural principles with modern designs.
This represents a reimagining of education—expansive, interconnected, rooted in human experience rather than confined to disciplinary boundaries. The success of this reform hinges not just on policy directives but on thoughtful execution, faculty readiness, and student engagement with unfamiliar knowledge systems alongside familiar subjects.
The Indian Knowledge Systems credit framework becomes effective in July 2026 for all undergraduate programs across Indian universities.
Contact: shykhnazir580@gmail.com
