The Importance of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) for Undergraduate Students

The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) represents a holistic and indigenous framework of understanding that spans disciplines such as mathematics, astronomy, architecture, medicine (Ayurveda), governance, education, arts, and philosophy. For centuries, it has shaped the intellectual and cultural fabric of the Indian subcontinent. In the contemporary academic landscape, the integration of IKS in undergraduate curricula is crucial for fostering critical thinking, ethical values, sustainability, and national identity among students. This paper explores the relevance and application of IKS in undergraduate education, reviewing historical and modern perspectives, analyzing existing policies like the National Education Policy 2020, and highlighting case studies of institutions integrating IKS. A qualitative methodology based on secondary data analysis is used to study the current discourse, leading to a synthesis of insights regarding how IKS can enrich modern education systems. The integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into undergraduate education has gained renewed focus in recent years, particularly with the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. IKS refers to the indigenous knowledge traditions developed in the Indian subcontinent over millennia, spanning fields such as philosophy, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, linguistics, agriculture, architecture, ethics, and arts. Scholars and policymakers increasingly argue that a reintroduction of this knowledge can enrich the modern education system and foster a stronger cultural and intellectual identity among students.