Uttarakhand school students to learn Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana
In a significant development in India’s education landscape, the Uttarakhand government has directed the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to include the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana in the curriculum of over 17,000 government schools across the state.
State Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat announced the decision during a departmental meeting with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He confirmed that until the updated syllabus is implemented, students will begin reciting verses from the sacred texts during their morning prayers.
The move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages a deeper connection between students and India’s cultural and civilizational heritage. NCERT has already started rolling out new textbooks like “Veena,” which blends India’s scientific contributions with its traditional stories. Chapters such as Ganga ki Kahani and an introduction to Artificial Intelligence are part of this new vision for integrated learning.
Officials said the initiative would not only foster cultural understanding but also promote value-based education. “It is important that children today understand the wisdom in our scriptures along with science and technology,” said Rawat.
The Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana are among the most revered texts in Indian culture, and their teachings on duty, ethics, and righteousness are widely acknowledged across generations. Including these texts in the curriculum is intended to cultivate a sense of moral responsibility and national pride among young learners.
However, the announcement has also sparked discussions on educational inclusivity and balance. While proponents say this will strengthen students’ moral grounding and cultural roots, critics are watching how the policy will be implemented without compromising academic neutrality.
As NEP 2020 gains momentum, states like Uttarakhand are moving swiftly to incorporate both modern skills and traditional values in their education systems. NCERT has assured that the textbooks for the remaining classes under NEP will be released by the end of the year.
