Science and Belief in the IITs: The Debate Over the Indian Knowledge System

The Main Explainer: Deconstructing the IKS Debate

The introduction of Indian Knowledge System (IKS) centres and courses in the IITs has created a sharp divide. On one side is the government's vision of an education system rooted in India's civilisational heritage; on the other are concerns from prominent scientists and academics about the potential dilution of scientific rigour.

### What is the official vision for IKS in education?

The government's push for IKS is anchored in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to create an education system that is “deeply rooted in Indian ethos”. According to the Ministry of Education's IKS Division, the objective is to “promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research on all aspects of IKS” and to “facilitate the integration of IKS in the curriculum.” The official rationale is to decolonise the curriculum by reducing over-reliance on Western-centric knowledge, foster national pride, and explore traditional knowledge for modern applications.

Implementation is being carried out through a centrally-guided structure. The IKS Division, established in 2020 under the AICTE, is responsible for funding research and setting up centres. According to official data from the IKS Division, it has sanctioned over 150 research projects and helped establish IKS Centres across India since its inception. These centres are intended to be hubs for developing courses and conducting research that connects modern science with traditional Indian knowledge.

### What are the specific concerns raised by critics?

The primary criticism is not against the study of India's intellectual history, but against what is perceived as the inclusion of mythology and metaphysics under the guise of science. Vasudevan Mukunth, in an analysis for The Hindu (June 23, 2026), argues that while a legitimate IKS would focus on verifiable contributions like Panini's linguistics or the Kerala school of mathematics, the current project is a “Trojan horse” intended to “embed myth-based inquiries in the framework of the IITs”.