Decolonizing Education through Indian Knowledge Systems: NEP 2020 and the Path toward Sustainable and Skilled India @2047

सार

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) represents a transformative shift in India’s educational landscape, positioning Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) as a central mechanism for decolonizing education and reversing the epistemological legacies of colonial rule. Colonial frameworks historically privileged Western epistemologies while systematically marginalizing indigenous intellectual traditions, creating enduring epistemic hierarchies that NEP 2020 seeks to dismantle. Following a systematic review of 50+ peer-reviewed sources, policy documents, and institutional reports spanning 2000–2026, and employing qualitative thematic analysis, this paper proposes a three-pillar conceptual model: Epistemic Justice and Decolonization, Synergy with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Skill Formation for Viksit Bharat @2047. Traditional knowledge domains, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Vedic Mathematics, sustainable agriculture, and indigenous ecological practices, are analyzed in relation to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The study identifies a critical gap in systematic empirical research on the measurable impact of IKS integration on learning outcomes, cognitive development, and employability. Drawing on emerging institutional evidence, illustrative case studies, and global comparative models from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Finland, the findings demonstrate that IKS enhances cognitive capabilities, cultural identity, sustainability awareness, and vocational competencies. Key implementation challenges, including faculty preparedness, regional disparities, and epistemic bias, are critically examined. The paper concludes with five actionable policy recommendations for the sustainable, community-anchored implementation of IKS, aligned with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.