The Bhagavad Gita and National Education Policy 2020: Re-envisioning Indian Pedagogy for Holistic Education
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 reorients Indian education towards holistic development, multidisciplinary learning, critical thinking, ethical awareness, experiential learning, and the development of capacities required for a rapidly changing society.At the same time, the Bhagavad Gita constitutes an important source within the Indian intellectual tradition for examining questions of action, knowledge, self-discipline, ethical decision-making, and responsibility.This conceptual study examines the possible convergences between selected pedagogical orientations of NEP 2020 and selected teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, with particular attention to Nishkama Karma (action without attachment to its fruits), Svadharma (one's duty or appropriate responsibility), self-discipline, reflective inquiry, and ethical conduct.A qualitative document-analysis and hermeneutic approach was employed.The primary documents comprised NEP 2020 and selected passages from the Bhagavad Gita; secondary literature was used to contextualize the interpretation.The analysis identified four major areas of convergence: holistic development, critical and reflective thinking, skill and action-oriented learning, and value-based education.The paper argues that the Gita should not be treated as a prescriptive religious curriculum for a pluralistic school system.Rather, selected philosophical ideas may be interpreted as culturally situated resources for dialogue, ethical reflection, self-regulation, and learner development, provided that their educational use remains inclusive, non-coercive, and sensitive to constitutional values.The paper concludes by proposing a cautious, secular, and pedagogically mediated framework for connecting Indian knowledge traditions with the objectives of NEP 2020.
Authors: Rajeshwari Garg, Shreyash Anand
Institution: Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya
Language: English
Topic: Values and Moral Education
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7208748818