The Indian Knowledge System (IKS) Division of the Ministry of Education at All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has accepted 13 proposals to set up IKS Centres and 21 research proposals aimed at rejuvenating IKS research across the country.

AICTE’s endeavour in IKS is aimed at creating new knowledge and insight to instil dynamism in NEP2020, as well as make them need-based in view of the national requirements. The IKS Division got 120 proposals from institutions across the country to set up IKS Centres and after rigorous peer review of the proposals, 13 were selected for funding.

The selected IKS Centres will cover a wide range of areas such as Ayurveda, Darshanas, Kalaripayattu, Dance Traditions, Engineering and Technology, Architecture, Literature, Vastu Vidya, Food Traditions of Northeast India, Tribal Knowledge Base, and Education. The proposals will be funded up to ₹ 40 Lakhs over two years.

The AICTE also received 361 research proposals from institutions throughout the country but after a rigorous peer review of the proposals, 14 proposals were selected for funding in six areas - Mathematics and Astronomy, Metallurgy and Material Science and Technology, Chemical Science and Technology, Health, Wellness, and Consciousness studies, Political and Economic Thought, Economics and Foreign Policy, and Arts and Culture. Additionally, seven proposals were selected as IKS research proposals from the center applications. The proposals will be funded up to ₹ 20 Lakhs over two years. The grants will encourage original, serious, and deep scholarly research in the IKS.

Congratulating the winners, Prof. Anil Sahashrabudhe, Chairman, AICTE, said: “I must congratulate all the universities, colleges and faculty members for making the cut. The grand vision for the IKS Division of the Ministry of Education at AICTE is to initiate a process of training generations of scholars who will show society, the ‘Indian way’ of being, knowing, and doing things. If we want to become the Knowledge Leader in this century and become once again the ‘Vishswavaguru’, we must regain a comprehensive knowledge of our heritage and demonstrate the ‘Indian way’ of acting to the entire world.”

The main objective of these initiatives is to promote research, education, and outreach in the field of IKS at various levels by providing opportunities to scholars and institutions working in related areas to institutionalise IKS research and education.

The IKS Centers program is designed to encourage and fund the establishment of IKS Centers across the country to catalyse original research, education, and dissemination of the IKS knowledge.