Understanding India: NEP-aligned Short Term courses on Indian Heritage and Culture

Understanding India: NEP-aligned Short Term courses on Indian Heritage and Culture

India is a land of rich heritage and culture, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) has proposed introducing courses that showcase this diversity to attract international students. The UGC has issued draft guidelines for higher educational institutions to offer short-term modular programs on various aspects of Indian culture, including Vedic mathematics, yoga, ayurveda, Sanskrit, Indian literature, sculpture, music, dance forms, and more.

The Indian Heritage and Culture courses

These programs will be credit-based and multi-tiered, allowing participants to enter and exit at various stages. The course offerings will encompass a wide range of topics, such as Universal Human Values, Vedic Maths, Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Indian Languages, various religious sites and monuments located in the Indian subcontinent, Indian Literature, Indian Sculpture, Indian Music and Dance Forms, Drama, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Crafts and Craftsmanship, Inscriptions, Rituals, Cultural Heritage, and the Indian Knowledge System, among others. 

Teaching-Learning Medium and Techniques

Different teaching-learning mediums and techniques will be used to maximise student engagement and enhance the learning experience. They are:

• Lecture (online/ offline mode) 
• Audio Video
• Special Lecture
• Focused group discussion 
• Practical session
• Excursion 
• Stage performance
• Counselling and guidance

The course can be completely designed by the HEI as per UGC guidelines. For example, under Indian Music and Dance Forms, a course on Sopana Sangeetham, a music form unique to Kerala, can be offered by a college in Kerala, as it would be giving this music its due recognition.Course curricula can include its origins, history, artists, instruments, traditions, and rules, including all these teaching-learning methods.

Faculty members of various Departments will be roped in to teach this kind of multi and transdisciplinary programmes. The libraries, institutions and experts of the relevant disciplines are to be included in the excursion. 

The guidelines also state that these courses will be taught by faculty members from various departments and that the excursion will include libraries, institutions, and experts from relevant disciplines.

Suggested Courses

1. Indian culture 
2. Indian Ethics (values) 
3. Ayurveda 
4. Yoga 
5. Indian philosophy 
6. Indian Music 
7. Indian dance 
8. Indian percussion and Vocal music 
9. Holy geographical regions of India 
10. Archaeological sites of India 
11. Indian Arts and Architecture 
12. Cultural heritage of India 
13. Indian folklore- Narrative convention 
14. Indian stage 
15. Indian drama (Natyakala) / Sanskrit drama 
16. Indian inscription 
17. Indian manuscript system 
18. Indian script 
19. Indian rituals 
20. Indian food and fashion 
21. Sanskrit Language and Literature 
22. Prakrit Language and Literature 
23. Pali Language and Literature 
24. Hindi Language and Literature 
25. Tamil Language and Literature 
26. Telugu Language and Literature 
27. Kannada Language and Literature 
28. Malayalam Language and Literature 
29. Bengali language and Literature 
30. Marathi Language and Literature 
31. Gujarati Language and Literature 
32. Odia Language and Literature 
33. Assamese Language and Literature 
34. Punjabi Language and Literature 
35. Kashmiri (Kashmir Shaivism) Language and Literature 
36. Nepali Language and Literature 
37. Urdu Language and Literature 
38. Vedic mathematics 
39. Astrology
40. Indian Craft System 
41. Indian Literature 
42. Indian Mythology 
43. Indian Law 
44. Indian ethics 
45. Indian Logic 
46. Indian rivers: History and culture

Eligibility and Target Group 

Individuals with an interest in Indian heritage and knowledge systems from different countries are eligible to enrol in courses aimed at acquiring such knowledge. The concerned University/Institution offering these courses may specify particular eligibility criteria.

Programme Levels

The courses will be offered at three levels: introductory, intermediate, and advanced, and eligibility criteria will be established by the university or institution offering the courses. With a hybrid mode of learning, each program is set to have 60 hours, and the respective institutions will have to create the curriculum.

Credit System and Credit Transfer 

Credits obtained through these programs will be acknowledged through the credit transfer system by any Higher Educational Institution (HEI) with relevant modifications via the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC). The credits can be accumulated or redeemed towards academic certification as per the UGC guidelines. However, the HEIs will decide the required credits, educational components, and learning outcomes at the necessary level.

Certification 

Upon completing each level of the course successfully, learners will receive certificates specified by the Higher Educational Institutions. These certificates will be provided in digital format through the National Academic Depository (NAD) of the Government of India.

The UGC’s move to introduce courses on Indian heritage and culture is in line with the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises the importance of Indian knowledge systems and culture. Institutions like Delhi University have already started offering courses on Vedic mathematics, ethics, and values in ancient Indian traditions, yoga, ayurveda, and nutrition, among others.

By offering such programs, India hopes to showcase its rich cultural heritage to the world and attract international students who are interested in learning about it. This initiative is also expected to help bridge the gap between the Indian education system and the rest of the world.

Smitha Thomas

Smitha Thomas Head PR and Communication A Seasoned Editor, Writer and Trainer with strong Researching Skills, Great enthusiasm for Academic Trends and Significant Achievements in Corporate Communications and Publishing