Government schools across Uttarakhand have begun teaching shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita during morning assemblies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 from Tuesday. The decision came after a review meeting held in May, where it was agreed that students should be more deeply connected with Indian culture and knowledge traditions.
According to the state education department officials said the initiative is meant to extend learning beyond the confines of textbooks.
“NEP clearly states that students must be introduced to Indian culture, heritage, knowledge systems, and traditional learning. The teachings must go beyond the curriculum. The CM also directed that these ancient teachings be incorporated into our schooling system. In line with that, shlokas from the Bhagwad Gita have now been introduced in the morning assemblies in our schools. A few lessons will be shared daily,” said Director of Secondary Education Dr. Mukul Kumar Sati.
According to Dr Sati, Uttarakhand is the first state to implement this practice on the ground level, though other BJP-led states have taken similar steps earlier. Gujarat, for instance, introduced Bhagavad Gita teachings from Classes 6 to 12 in 2022, including shlokas in prayer sessions and textbooks. Karnataka also made moves to bring Gita teachings into moral science classes during the 2022–23 academic session. Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have since made announcements to introduce similar teachings at the senior school level.
Dr. Sati added that Uttarakhand plans to gradually incorporate these teachings into the formal curriculum, with updated textbooks set to roll out this academic year.
Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat has backed the move, saying, “Our ancient Indian knowledge systems are among the oldest in the world. It will help with the moral, spiritual, and physical development of students and discipline them while creating scientific curiosity as well.”
In his instructions to chief education officers across the state, Sati emphasised that the Gita should be viewed not merely as a religious scripture, but as a source of human values and scientific reasoning.
"These teachings can be a stepping stone to students becoming great citizens. In every assembly, one shloka with its meaning should be taught along with its scientific viewpoint. There should be a ‘weekly shloka' that should be discussed at the end of the week. The significance of these teachings in day-to-day life should also be taught to the students."
“At every step, we must ensure the character development, self-control, and scientific mindset of our students with these teachings," the order read.
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