Echoes of the Soil: Reshaping Modern Education through Indigenous Knowledge Systems under NEP 2020

Abstract

The National Education Policy (2020) presents a vision for an education system that is rooted in Indian culture while also preparing students for a global world. This paper aims to study the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in improving modern education. It argues that present-day education often ignores local knowledge, traditions, and real-life experiences, which creates a gap between what students learn and what they live. Through the lens of NEP 2020, this paper explains how IKS can help develop critical thinking, environmental awareness, and a deeper understanding of culture. It also shows that including indigenous knowledge is not going backward, but moving forward toward a more balanced and meaningful education system. The study is conceptual and literature-based in nature and employs qualitative document analysis and narrative review of policy documents and relevant scholarly literature. The collected literature was examined through thematic analysis to identify the major dimensions of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in contemporary education. The principal contribution of the paper lies in presenting a conceptual understanding of how Indigenous Knowledge Systems can support the objectives of NEP 2020 while highlighting the opportunities and implementation challenges associated with their integration into formal education. The study concludes that combining local knowledge with modern learning is important for building responsible and well-rounded learners.