Scope for the Formalized Gita Studies in Contemporary Education System

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 integrates India's rich heritage into modern education through the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) guidelines. This framework embeds timeless sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita into academic curricula. By studying the Gita, researchers, educators and students explore foundational concepts of ethics, self-management, yoga paths and duty, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary multi-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary learning..

As per the University Grant Commission's (UGC, 2023) guidelines, academic credits—are connected to Bhagavad Gita studies for Incorporating Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into Higher Education Curricula for structurally mapping scriptural studies into a student's official cumulative academic score tally. Academic credits are formally tied to Bhagavad Gita studies at undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students are required as a part of IKS that account for at least 5% of their total required graduation credits.

According to UGC (n.d.), Some higher education institutes have introduced credit-earning foundation courses on human values and professional ethics for teaching core life skills like decision-making, emotional stability, and deep learning on various yoga paths. The students who choose electives, diplomas, or specialized modules on the Bhagavad Gita earn formal academic credits; typically 4 credits per paper to be digitally deposited into the student's Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and directly impact their total graduation eligibility.

Kishore (2026) [5] advocates for a balanced, value-based learning framework for education by urging modern institutions to move away from an over-reliance on rote learning by blending the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into daily teaching. Specifically, value education be imparted by integrating Bhagavad Gita values and traditional performance arts directly into the core curriculum. Though such a holistic approach, institutions will be able to boost students' working memory, enhance emotional intelligence, and foster strong character

References

 [1] NEP. (2020). National Education Policy 2020, New Delhi: Ministry of Education, https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf

[2] IKS. (2023). Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, New Delhi: Ministry of Education, Available at https://iksindia.org

[3] UGC. (2023). Guidelines for incorporating Indian Knowledge in higher education curricula. University Grants Commission. Government of India. https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/6436045_Guidelines-IKS-in-HE-Curricula.pdf

[4] UGC. (n.d.). Minimum course curriculum for undergraduate courses under choice based credit system  . https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/8023719_guidelines-for-cbcs.pdf

[5] Kishore, L. (2026, August 6).  Revitalizing Education Through Ancient Wisdom and Traditional Arts https://lalitculp.wixsite.com/website/post/revitalizing-education-through-ancient-wisdom-and-traditional-arts,

In Summary

Kishore (2026) argues for the integration of the Bhagavad Gita into contemporary education, aligning with India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). He contends that formalized Gita studies shift curriculum focus from rote learning to holistic student development, fostering critical 21st-century competencies like emotional intelligence, ethical decision-making, and discipline. Rather than confining the scripture to a religious context, there is a need make a shift towards a decolonized, cross-disciplinary academic framework. This approach combines the timeless wisdom of sacred texts like the Bhagavad gita with modern pedagogy, utilizing methods like traditional arts to enhance cognitive functioning and establish a value-based, purpose-driven learning environment for students.

Reference for citation

Kishore, L. (2026, November 10). Scope for the Formalized Gita Studies in Contemporary Education System, Lalit Culp, https://lalitculp.wixsite.com/website/post/scope-for-the-formalized-gita-studies-in-contemporary-education-system