UGC to teach undergraduates ‘Bharatiya traditions’ in multiple disciplines

New Delhi: Kala Ganpana (traditional Indian timekeeping), Bharatiya Bijganit (Indian algebra), the significance of 'Puranas' in Bharatiya tradition, focus on the mathematical concepts and techniques related to basic arithmetic operations and geometry found in the Narada Puran, are among the concepts that UGC wants undergraduate students to study in mathematics, reports PTI.

According to the draft curriculum, which is aligned with the Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the UGC has recommended teaching the history and development of Bharatiya Bijaganita, division of polynomials using the Paravartya Yojayet Sutra (a traditional Vedic Mathematics technique meaning ‘transpose and apply').

The curriculum also includes teaching of concepts such as panchanga (Indian calendar) and how it determines mahurtas (auspicious time) used in rituals and festivals.

The proposed course blends astronomy, mythology and culture -- bringing India's rich time-science heritage to life. It also covers ancient observatories, the prime meridian of Ujjain, and how ancient Indian Vedic time units of Ghatis and Vighatis compare with modern systems like Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Indian Standard Time (IST).

"We are confident that this curriculum will be a transformative initiative in the realm of mathematics education in India. It has been meticulously developed through extensive consultation and collaboration, ensuring both academic excellence and practical relevance," said curriculum committee chair Sushil K Tomar.

"It aspires to produce professionally competent graduates, capable of contributing meaningfully to research, innovation, and national development, particularly in addressing interdisciplinary challenges across sciences, economics, environment, and sustainable development," he added.

The proposed curriculum dives into texts like the "Surya Siddhanta" and "Aryabhatiyam", explains the structure of cosmic time -- from Yugas and Kalpas to Brahma's day (Brahma Varsa) -- and introduces divine time cycles like Vishnu Varsa and Shiva Varsa.