New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will introduce an elective course on Indian Knowledge Traditions (IKT) across all its disciplines, including engineering and management, starting the next academic session. Each school and department will adapt the course content to align with their respective fields, varsity sources said.

IKT encompasses India’s indigenous knowledge systems developed over centuries, including Vedic sciences, ancient engineering practices, traditional medicine, and philosophical texts. This initiative aligns with the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) recommendation to integrate IKT into academic curricula, fostering awareness of India’s intellectual heritage and values.

Under the new framework, engineering students will explore traditional engineering practices, while management students may study ancient economic and administrative systems. Schools and centres will design syllabi specific to their academic focus, ensuring relevance for students from diverse backgrounds.

The proposal was approved in a meeting last month, with schools asked to submit suggestions for finalising the syllabus. The elective course, carrying academic credits, will count towards the UGC’s directive that 5% of a student’s total undergraduate and postgraduate credits should be dedicated to IKT.

In a related move, JNU recently established centres for Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist studies to further promote India’s traditional knowledge systems. The university currently operates 13 schools and 38 centres focused on specialised disciplines, along with 8 special centres to enhance academic offerings.

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