Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has announced a major education reform, incorporating teachings from the Bhagavad Gita into school curricula as part of a broader push toward Sanatan and Sanskrit education.
This initiative aligns with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s vision to promote cultural heritage, moral education, and holistic learning under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Dhami directed officials to integrate Gita teachings
The announcement was made during an education review meeting on May 6, where Dhami directed officials to integrate Gita teachings into classroom learning and develop a 10-year strategic plan for educational innovation. The plan also includes emphasis on environmental education, Uttarakhand’s folklore, local art forms, and historical figures, ensuring students receive a well-rounded understanding of regional culture.
Sanskrit language promotion & educational transformation
In recent months, Uttarakhand has taken several steps to strengthen Sanskrit education and establish its status as the second official language of the state. The Adarsh Sanskrit Gram Yojana, approved last month, aims to select one model village per district, where structured Sanskrit instruction will be implemented. The long-term plan involves expanding Sanskrit education to block levels, ensuring that future generations develop proficiency in India’s classical language. As part of the push toward holistic education, students from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities who opt for Sanskrit as a subject are already receiving financial incentives.
Modernization of madrasas & interfaith educational initiatives
Parallel to the Sanatan curriculum, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board is actively working to modernize madrasas by blending religious teachings with mainstream education. Under this framework, registered madrasas are adopting the NCERT syllabus, introducing Sanskrit alongside Arabic and English, and implementing standardized dress codes for students.
Waqf Board Chairman and BJP leader Shadab Shams recently stated that madrasa students will also study Lord Ram’s values, citing historical references that depict Ram as an “Imam-e-Hind (Leader of India)”. The integration of interfaith lessons aims to bridge communal gaps, foster inclusivity, and make madrasas accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.
Infrastructure improvements & educational innovation
Beyond cultural education, Dhami has directed officials to inspect all schools for infrastructure improvements before the oncoming monsoon season. The state government plans to establish residential hostels in every district’s cluster school to accommodate students from remote areas and strengthen transportation facilities across 559 cluster schools to improve accessibility. The govt also making efforts to ensure timely textbook distribution, NCC program expansion, and transparency in teacher transfers. Additionally, officials have been tasked with studying education models from other states to enhance learning outcomes, and public-private partnerships are being explored to boost infrastructure investment.
State government aims to create a balanced, inclusive, and culturally enriched education
The integration of Bhagavad Gita teachings, Sanskrit education, and madrasa modernization reflects Uttarakhand’s govt approach to holistic learning. By incorporating traditional values and modern frameworks, the state government aims to create a balanced, inclusive, and culturally enriched education system for future generations.
