Uttarakhand Govt Tells NCERT To Include Gita, Ramayana In Schools: Sparks Criticism

The Uttarakhand government has officially requested the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to include the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana in the school syllabus across its 17,000 government-run institutions.

Speaking to ANI, State Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said, “In a meeting with the Chief Minister and officials from the Education Department, we have tasked NCERT with introducing the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana in the school curriculum.

“Until the new syllabus is finalised, students will recite selected verses from these epics during daily morning assemblies,” he told ANI.

This development aligns with the larger vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages the integration of India’s civilizational heritage into classroom learning.

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Coinciding with this directive, NCERT on July 15 unveiled a new Class 6 social science textbook titled Veena. The book merges history, geography, and civics into a single volume, reflecting the NEP’s emphasis on multidisciplinary education.

Among its notable chapters is “Ganga ki Kahani”, which traces the river Ganga’s journey from Gomukh to Gangasagar, engaging students with the cultural and historical significance of cities such as Haridwar, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Patna, Kanpur, and Kolkata.

Another chapter introduces students to the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI), highlighting how machines mimic human learning and problem-solving. This inclusion reflects the NCERT’s dual focus on heritage and scientific temperament. While the move has drawn appreciation from several quarters, it has also sparked debates.

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Opposition voices have questioned whether mythological texts should be taught in secular educational spaces, with SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya provocatively asking, “Do you want today’s women to suffer like Sita?” reported The Hindu.

Despite the contrasting opinions, the Uttarakhand government stands firm on its decision, asserting that the initiative aims to foster moral education, cultural awareness, and value-based learning among students. More NCERT books in line with NEP guidelines are expected to be released later this year.