A STUDY OF STUDENT PERCEPTIONS ON THE INTEGRATION OF INDIAN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS IN HISTORY EDUCATION UNDER NEP 2020: A CASE STUDY FROM M. S. KAKADE COLLEGE, SOMESHWARNAGAR, DISTRICT PUNE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65009/bzev5b34Keywords:
Indian Knowledge Systems, NEP 2020, History Education, Student Perception, Curriculum Reform, Higher Education,,Abstract
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has emphasized the integration of Indian
Knowledge Systems (IKS) into the formal education framework in order to promote cultural
rootedness, holistic understanding, and epistemic plurality. History education, in particular,
plays a crucial role in shaping students’ perspectives about identity, heritage, and socio-cultural
continuity. This study aims to examine undergraduate students’ perceptions regarding the
integration of Indian Knowledge Systems into history education, with special reference to M.
S. Kakade College, Someshwarnagar, District Pune. The research is based on primary data
collected from a sample of 50 students using a structured questionnaire. A descriptive research
design was adopted, and data were analyzed using percentage analysis and interpretative
methods. The findings reveal that most students hold a positive attitude toward the inclusion
of IKS in the history curriculum, perceiving it as meaningful, culturally enriching, and
intellectually engaging. However, challenges such as lack of adequate learning resources,
limited teacher preparedness, and conceptual unfamiliarity were also reported. The study
highlights the need for systematic curriculum planning, teacher training, and student-centered
pedagogical strategies to effectively implement the objectives of NEP 2020. The paper
concludes that the integration of IKS into history education has the potential to enhance
relevance, inclusivity, and experiential learning, provided that institutional and instructional
mechanisms are strengthened.
References
Government of India. (2020). National Education Policy 2020. Ministry of Human
Resource Development.
NCERT. (2021). Guidelines for integrating Indian Knowledge Systems in school and
higher education curricula. National Council of Educational Research and Training.
UGC. (2022). Framework for the incorporation of Indian Knowledge Systems in higher
education. University Grants Commission.
Dharampal. (2000). The beautiful tree: Indigenous Indian education in the eighteenth
century. Other India Press.
Radhakrishnan, S. (1951). Indian philosophy (Vol. 1 & 2). George Allen & Unwin.
Sen, A. (2005). The argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian history, culture and
identity. Penguin Books.
Nussbaum, M. C. (2010). Not for profit: Why democracy needs the humanities.
Princeton University Press.
Banks, J. A. (2008). An introduction to multicultural education. Pearson Education.
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Continuum.
Kumar, K. (2005). Political agenda of education: A study of colonialist and nationalist
ideas. Sage Publications.
Asagar, M. S. (2025). Integrating the Indian Knowledge System with modern pedagogy
for a holistic educational renaissance under NEP 2020. Journal of Indian Knowledge
Systems and Contemporary Learning, 1(1), 34–48.
Haloi, M., & Kharbirymbai, B. B. (2025). Integrating the Indian Knowledge System
(IKS) into teacher education: A transformative approach under NEP 2020.
International Journal of Science and Social Science Research, 3(2), 112–120.
Singh, S., & Singh, D. (2025). Integrating Indian Knowledge Systems in contemporary
education: A theoretical analysis of NEP 2020. Research Hub International
Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 12(8), 56–63.
Khandekar, S. R. (2025). A study on Indian Knowledge System and NEP 2020.
Anveshak: International Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 10(1),
–30.
Apple, M. W. (2004). Ideology and curriculum (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Giroux, H. A. (2011). On critical pedagogy. Continuum.
Bruner, J. (1996). The culture of education. Harvard University Press.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological
processes. Harvard University Press.
Kvale, S. (1996). Interviews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing. Sage
Publications.
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
