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AMMOI welcomes NCERT's landmark decision to integrate Ayurveda into middle school science curriculum
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Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
November 14 , 2025
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In a landmark decision reflecting the core tenets of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has incorporated comprehensive chapters on Ayurveda into the science curriculum for students in classes 6 to 8.
This move is part of the broader directive to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into mainstream education, aiming to equip the younger generation with foundational knowledge of holistic health, nutrition, and environmental balance, rooted in India’s ancient wisdom.
The new curriculum is structured to progressively introduce Ayurvedic principles, beginning in Class 6 where the science textbook introduces the fundamentals, focusing on the system's classification of matter based on the 20 opposing qualities (Gunas) as described in classical texts. Building on this base, the subsequent lessons are designed to provide a continuous and deepening understanding of these ancient health concepts.
Class 7 lessons are set to expand knowledge on healthy food habits, lifestyle practices, and an introduction to practical herbal medicines used for well-being and common ailments, giving students tangible examples of ayurvedic applications in daily life. This practical knowledge aims to encourage preventative health consciousness from a young age.
Finally, the Class 8 chapter, titled ‘Ayurveda-- Balance of Body, Mind, and Environment’, delves into crucial lifestyle practices like Dinacharya (daily routine) and Ritucharya (seasonal discipline), teaching students how to align their lives with natural cycles for optimal health. This completes the foundational three-year introduction to ayurvedic principles.
This initiative, hailed as a big change in the syllabus, has been widely welcomed by stakeholders.
Dr D Ramanathan, secretary of the Association of Ayurveda Medicines Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI), publicly endorsed and welcomed the government's step, signalling strong industry support for the educational reform. According to sources from NCERT, this aim of this curriculum update is to acquaint students with both scientific knowledge and the principles of physical and mental well-being, promoting holistic learning and encouraging respect for India's scientific and cultural heritage.
The impetus behind this integration stems directly from the NEP 2020’s vision for a comprehensive, sustainable education that fosters students who value and protect our cultural diversity. The IKS framework, which includes Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Yoga, Vedic knowledge, Mathematics, and Traditional Arts, is intended to nurture India's intellectual heritage and contribute to building a society that prioritizes ethics and values in the face of rapid globalization and increasing environmental concerns.
Integrating IKS with modern education can also pave the way for new observations, research, and truly interdisciplinary learning. For example, IKS can offer alternative perspectives for subjects like Environmental Science, Literature, History, and Mathematics, enriching the students' critical thinking and providing diverse frameworks for understanding the world. Beyond purely academic excellence, IKS emphasizes emotional, social, and moral growth, focusing on Indian values such as Satya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), and Ahimsa (Non-violence) to build a strong ethical foundation.
Talking to Pharmabiz, Dr Ramanathan said “In an era where Indian Knowledge Systems are actively advancing through global research, it is a national imperative to create a generation knowledgeable about this background and proud of its heritage, bringing our children forward as globally conscious citizens who are deeply confident in their culture and ethics.”
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