A Trojan horse has breached the IITs: Indian Knowledge System and pseudoscience
This opinion piece criticizes the institutionalization of the 'Indian Knowledge System' (IKS) in IITs, arguing that it promotes pseudoscience rather than genuine Indian intellectual history. It highlights how IKS, formalized by NEP 2020, blurs lines between scholarship and theological revivalism, with IITs hosting sessions on "reincarnation science" using EEG data and astrological charts. The author contends that this approach, lacking verifiability and relying on anecdotes, compromises the academic reputation of IITs and promotes ideological consolidation over scientific leadership, potentially alienating top Indian talent from global standards of rationalism.
Key Points
- The 'Indian Knowledge System' (IKS) is being criticized for promoting pseudoscience within IITs, deviating from genuine Indian intellectual history.
- NEP 2020 is seen as formalizing a more aggressive avatar of IKS, blurring lines between historical scholarship and theological revivalism.
- IITs are hosting "special sessions" on topics like "reincarnation science" using unscientific methodologies, compromising their academic credentials.
- The author argues that this trend prioritizes domestic ideological consolidation over scientific leadership and rationalism.
- The institutionalization of pseudoscience in IITs could deter top Indian talent and isolate Indian scholars from global scientific standards.
Exam Facts
- The 'Indian Knowledge System' (IKS) is being institutionalized, formalized by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- IIT-Mandi and IIT-Kanpur have hosted "special sessions" on "reincarnation science."
- The University Grants Commission's 2023 guidelines require all higher education students to take IKS courses for credit.
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