Increasing the weightage of KTPI at UG level will increase its popularity – Times of India

Sanyam Bharadwaj, controller of examinations, CBSE, says, “In the current academic session, 167 candidates from across 14 schools have taken KTPI as an elective in standard XII.” Despite the subject being introduced a few years ago, there are a few takers since it needs better weightage at the UG level.

Link with NEP, CUET

Hrushikesh Senapaty, former director, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), says, “National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focuses on enabling students to understand Indian ethos in a better manner. This makes it an important subject and NCERT is required to update the study material and cover the relevant matter.”
Till now, not enough focus is being paid to the subject’s relevance at the UG level, which needs to change, says a senior official from CBSE. “Most UG courses feature KTPI topics in some or the other form. Further, Central Universities Entrance Test (CUET) has included KTPI as a subject, which will include topics like Judiciary, Human Rights in India, and Legal Maxims,” he says.

“Hopefully, this will enable universities to give the elective of KTPI its due weightage, consequently increasing awareness about the subject and its popularity among students,” adds the official.

Rashmi Raj Biswal, principal, DAV Public School, New Delhi, agrees that not enough has been done to spread awareness about the elective. “CBSE offers several elective subjects in classes XI and XII. We introduced a few of them, however, KTPI has not gained prominence. More awareness needs to be created for students to opt for this subject,” says Biswal.

About the subject

The CBSE official says that KTPI offers school students an opportunity to understand Ancient Indian practices as well as various traditions followed at that time. “Topics covered in class XI include Astronomy in India, Chemistry in India, Indian Literatures, Indian Philosophical System, Indian Traditional Knowledge on Environmental Conservation, Ayurveda for Life, Health and Well-Being, Medical Tradition in Ancient India, Mathematics in India, Metallurgy in India, Music in India, Theatre and Drama, and more,” says the official.

Topics covered in standard XII KTPI include Agriculture in India, Architecture, Dance, Education in India, Indian Ethics, Martial Arts traditions, Language and Grammar, Painting, Society State and Polity and more. “The main objective is to provide a learning opportunity to students about the rich traditions of India and help them to become well-rounded individuals in the future, imbibing Indian values and knowledge systems,” says the official.