NCERT introduces Ayurveda chapters in middle school science textbooks

Following the government’s decision to incorporate Ayurveda into the education system, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has updated the Science curriculum with chapters on Ayurveda. The science textbook for Classes 6 to 8 features a chapter on Ayurveda, aiming to help students learn about ancient Indian scientific practices

According to the Education Times report, NCERT also plans to revise the Science syllabus for higher classes and extend the integration to colleges. The University Grants Commission (UGC) will develop a separate Ayurveda-focused curriculum for higher education.

NCERT’s director Dinesh Prasad Saklani said that the inclusion of Ayurvedic principles in science textbooks is intended to promote holistic learning.

While explaining the curriculum, the NCERT director said that Chapter 3 of the Class 8 science textbook ‘Curiosity’ introduces Ayurveda as a system that promotes balance between body, mind, and environment.

The new chapter also highlights the importance of practices such as daily routine (dinacharya) and seasonal routine (ritucharya), and encourages habits such as eating wholesome food that suits the body, regular exercising, and mindfulness.

Similarly, the Class 6 ‘Curiosity’ science textbook emphasizes Ayurveda’s classification of matter according to the twenty opposing properties (guṇa), as described in ancient texts such as the Ashtanga Hridaya Sutra Sthana, to illustrate a holistic approach to health, nutrition, and nature.

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NCERT, UGC collaboration

Earlier, the AYUSH minister Prataprao Jadhav said the NCERT and UGC will work together to prepare course modules for school and higher education, so that young students can connect with the principles of holistic health. However, some states such as Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh have already integrated the Indian Knowledge system in school education.

“Ayurveda-related content is also being addressed in teacher education and development courses conducted by NCERT’s Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs) and other constituent units,” the minister said.

Furthermore, to ensure successful implementation, emphasis is being placed on teacher training and skill development. The minister said that timely orientation sessions and workshops are being conducted along with the preparation of teacher handbooks.