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In a significant shift in the education sector, NCERT has incorporated Ayurveda chapters into the science syllabus for classes 6 and 8, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This initiative aims to give students an understanding of health, nutrition, and environmental balance from an Indian perspective. NCERT director Dinesh Prasad Saklani stated that the goal is to acquaint students with both scientific knowledge and the principles of physical and mental well-being. The Class 6 Science textbook will introduce fundamental principles of Ayurveda, including its 20 qualities. The Class 8 syllabus will cover topics such as daily routine and seasonal discipline. This change not only updates the textbooks but also encourages students to appreciate India’s scientific heritage. The inclusion of Ayurveda in school education is now being extended to higher education, reported News18 Hindi. The scientific principles of Ayurveda are explained in simple language in NCERT’s new science books. Class 6 students will learn about Ayurveda’s 20 opposing qualities (e.g., hot-cold, light-heavy, etc.) to classify matter, providing them with a basic understanding of overall health. Class 8 will focus on Dinacharya (healthy daily habits), Ritucharya (seasonal eating habits), and a balanced lifestyle through the chapter ‘Ayurveda: Balance of Body, Mind and Environment’. The UGC and the Ministry of AYUSH are creating modules to integrate Ayurveda into the medical education syllabus at colleges and universities. AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav has highlighted that allopathy and AYUSH systems complement each other. The aim is to develop an integrated healthcare model. Expanding Ayurveda at the college level will help students connect with traditional knowledge and support the government’s efforts to achieve global recognition for Ayurveda, he added. This transformation is rooted in the National Education Policy 2020’s core idea of integrating education with Indian knowledge systems. Incorporating Ayurveda into the science curriculum will promote respect for ancient knowledge and help students become health-conscious and responsible citizens.
