The Indian
Knowledge System
Division
REJUVENATING AND MAINSTREAMING INDIAN
KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS FOR THE CONTEMPORARY
WORLD
Core Principles of the IKS
Division
1. Paramparā: Embracing the rich heritage and lineage of Indian Knowledge Systems, the IKS Division
aims to uphold and carry forward the wisdom that has been passed down through generations. The goal is to
highlight the continuous unbroken knowledge traditions of Bhārata since time immemorial.
2. Dṛṣṭi: Indian knowledge systems offer unique perspectives that make this knowledge system 'Bhāratīya'
and hold immense value in addressing contemporary and emerging challenges. By combining traditional
wisdom with modern knowledge, we can find holistic solutions that transcend the limitations of either
approach.
3. Laukika-prayojana: The IKS Division aims to highlight the practical utility of the Indian Knowledge
System to solve current and emerging problems of India and the world. By focusing on areas of societal
importance, such as health, technology, and social well-being, IKS projects strive to make a tangible
difference to the contemporary world by mainstreaming Indian Knowledge Systems.
Mission of the IKS Division – Building
Foundations and Portals
• Create a database of individuals and organizations who have
contributed by way of Research, Teaching, Publication and
Preservation of ancient and contemporary rich Indian
knowledge systems ranging from art, music, dance, drama, to
mathematics, astronomy, science, technology
• Create portal for archival and dissemination of this rich
knowledge and also create an open portal and keep it
dynamic and live like wiki, in a PPP mode.
• Promote and enable further research to address the societal
challenges faced today in several areas including holistic
health, psychology, neuroscience, nature, environment, and
sustainable development.
Mission of the IKS Division
• To identify scholars and institutions who have worked in various areas of IKS and their works and to categorize the
major areas.
• To get reports of work done by all people who have contributed to IKS and bring out regular publications.
• To promote research in IKS for providing proof of concepts, new knowledge generation, effective interdisciplinary
work useful for society.
• To provide financial assistance to research activities, workshops, seminars and publications for furthering the cause
of IKS.
• To suggest measures to integrate IKS in text books and reference books of modern disciplines of knowledge offered
at school and higher education. To establish IKS cells in General universities, Sanskrit Universities, and other
institutions under MoE.
• To initiate collaboration/ coordination between institutions under MoE, other ministries, departments, independent
scholars, NGOs and private institutions working in the field of IKS to promote interdisciplinary research involving
modern streams and ancient Shastras.
• To explore and adopt a PPP model, wherever feasible (e.g. creating a wiki type platform and comprehensive IKS
portal) To constitute Expert Groups and committees to plan, execute and oversee the objectives of IKS division. To
take up any step, work, project or activity to further the cause of IKS.
Indian Knowledge Systems
Division: Foundation and
Initiatives
• The Indian Knowledge Systems Division (IKS Division) of the Ministry of Education (MoE) was
established in October 2020, with a vision to promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary
research.
• The IKS Division supports and funds the establishment of IKS centers, and interdisciplinary and
transdisciplinary research in IKS.
• The Division conducts internship programs for undergraduate students in addition to conducting
faculty development programs, workshops, text mining and documentation projects, and many
outreach activities in partnership with other institutions.
• Division initiated IKS Wiki portal for article publishing in various Bhāratīya languages, fostering
a broader dissemination and engagement with traditional knowledge systems.
• The main objective of the IKS Division is to go beyond merely acknowledging the existence of
Indian Knowledge Systems and to rejuvenate and mainstream it by integrating it into the fabric of
our education research ecosystem for the contemporary world.
Bridging Traditional and
Contemporary Knowledge to
Create Innovators
It further seeks to bridge the gap between Traditional Indian Knowledge Systems and contemporary
knowledge systems. By doing so, the IKS Division aims at cultivating a living tradition that fosters the
creation of new knowledge and inspires the development of future innovators and scholars based on
Bhāratīya paradigms of knowledge generation and transmission. In other words, the IKS Division is not
satisfied discussing about Suśruta, Āryabhaṭa, Agastya and other venerated Ācāryas; we actively strive to
create an ecosystem that will inspire and give rise to many more Suśrutas and Āryabhaṭas.