By skyforbes Pradeep B. Deshpande | November 7, 2025
I asked ChatGPT, Are there any educational institutions in India where the study of Bhagvad Geeta is mandatory for all undergraduates? Also, has there been a debate about introducing Bhagvad Geeta in schools and colleges in India, and if yes, please give details.
ChatGPT responded, yes — there has indeed been a debate in India about introducing the Bhagavad Gita (often called simply the Gita) into school and college curricula. Below is a summary of the key developments, the arguments for and against, and the current status.
ChatGPT added, it could not find reliable evidence that any undergraduate degree program in India currently mandates that all students study the Bhagavad Gītā (as a stand‑alone or compulsory required course) regardless of discipline.
Here are a few relevant data points:
· At Anna University in Chennai, a move was reported in 2019 to make a paper on the Bhagavad Gītā & Upanishads mandatory for third‑semester B. Tech students. However, the university later clarified that students could instead choose from 12 subjects (so it became optional among a set). The Times of India+2The New Indian Express+2.
· At Ramanujan College (part of University of Delhi), a certificate/refresher course on the Bhagavad Gītā was announced for teaching and non‑teaching staff with “mandatory attendance”, leading to protests; but this was not for undergraduate students, and later the college said it was not compulsory for all. www.ndtv.com+1.
· There are calls by organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad to make the Gītā compulsory in the education system at all levels. The Economic Times+1.
· Some state‐level news indicates inclusion of Gītā content in school curricula (e.g., a report about Gujarat making lessons of Gītā mandatory for classes 6 to 12) though I could not verify a high‐quality source for full enforcement.
To summarize,
– Some institutions have proposed or partially implemented introduction of Gītā courses.
— But I found no verified example where all undergraduate students in all programs at an Indian university are required to study the Gītā as a fixed mandatory subject.
– The policy is patchy, often optional or part of a set of alternatives, and sometimes limited to staff training rather than student curriculum.
What is happening: initiatives
Here are some of the recent noteworthy moves:
· In the state of Gujarat, the government issued a circular in March 2022 that the values and principles of the Gita will be introduced for Classes 6–12 in the form of stories and recitations in textbooks. DigiBooks+3India Today+3India Today+3
· The Gujarat Assembly passed a resolution (February 2024) asking the government to take necessary steps for implementation of teaching the Gita in schools. www.ndtv.com
· In Karnataka, the Education Minister stated that the Gita will be included as part of “moral education” and that “if experts say, it will definitely be introduced.” The Indian Express
· In Uttarakhand, the government ordered the daily recitation of Gita shlokas in schools, as part of their assemblies, and linked it to moral/spiritual guidance. Prameya News+1
· In Haryana, the School Education Board directed that schools include recitation of verses from the Gita in morning assemblies. India Today+1
· In Bihar, the local BJP unit stated that the Gita should be taught in schools across India; however, the allied party JD(U) opposed the move. The Indian Express
What are the arguments/debates
Arguments in favor
· Proponents argue that the Gita contains universal values such as duty, self-discipline, and focus that are beneficial for young people. For example, Gujarat’s education minister said the Gita’s values are “accepted by people of all religions”. India Today+1
· It is seen as a way to integrate Indian cultural and knowledge systems (sometimes referred to as Indian epistemology) into the school curriculum. Business Standard+1
· Supporters note that including such texts could foster pride, cultural continuity, and holistic development beyond mere exam-oriented learning.
Concerns and objections
· A primary concern is secularism: whether teaching a philosophically religious text in state-funded schools violates constitutional norms. For instance, in Uttarakhand the SC/ST Teachers’ Association opposed the move, arguing that the Gita is a religious text and its mandatory teaching in government schools is unconstitutional. The Statesman
· Legal concerns: In Gujarat, the High Court observed that Articles 25 and 28 of the Constitution guarantee freedom of religion and forbid religious instruction in state-run educational institutions. www.ndtv.com
· Inclusivity concerns: Critics argue that emphasizing one religious/philosophical text may alienate students from other religions or those who prefer secular curricula. Also, the concern is that moral education could become a way to promote particular ideological or cultural views.
· Implementation issues: How to teach the Gita in a neutral, academic way (stories, values) vs. as devotional/religious instruction. The content, manner, assessment, teacher-training all matter and are contested.
Legal/constitutional dimension
- Article 28(1) of the Indian Constitution states that no religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of state funds. (There are nuances & exceptions for institutions given aid by the state).
- Article 25 guarantees freedom of conscience and the free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
- Thus, inclusion of a religious text like the Gita raises the question whether it is “religious instruction” or “moral/philosophical education”.
As reported in Gujarat’s case:
“As far as the curriculum is concerned … the Right to Education (RTE) says that there is a statutory organization which will frame it and recommend it to the state government.” www.ndtv.com
Current status & outlook
· The debate is ongoing and varies by state. India’s education system is largely state managed for schools (especially up to higher secondary). So, one state’s decision does not automatically apply nationally.
· Gujarat seems to be among the more advanced states in moving the Gita into the syllabus for classes 6–12 in a form of “stories/values” rather than purely devotional. India Today+1.
· In other states like Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Haryana, similar moves (recitation, moral education inclusion) are under discussion or partially implemented.
· The form of inclusion matters a lot (e.g., as part of first-language textbooks, as extra-curricular moral science, as optional vs mandatory).
· Implementation may face court challenges, teacher/association resistance, and concerns about secular balance.
Summary
In short: Yes — the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita in school/college curricula in India is very much under debate. It raises questions of values vs religious instruction, cultural heritage vs secular education, state-policy vs constitutional limits. Some states are moving forward with inclusion, while others face push-back or are proceeding cautiously.
Here’s a state‑by‑state summary of how the issue of introducing the Bhagavad Gita (Gita) into school curricula has progressed in India — what has been done, proposed or is under discussion. Note: This is based on media reports and announcements; actual implementation may vary.
Table I. State by State Summary of How the Issue of Introducing Bhagvad Gita Has Progressed in India
State What has been announced/done Details & note of status
Gujarat
The Gita (its values/principles) to be included in school syllabus for Classes 6‑12. www.ndtv.com+4www.ndtv.com+4The Times of India+4
From March 2022 announcement. For Classes 6‑8: introduced in “Sarvangi Shikshan” (holistic education) textbook. For Classes 9‑12: in first‑language textbook in form of storytelling, etc. The New Indian Express+1
In Feb 2024 the state assembly passed a resolution supporting the move. www.ndtv.com+1
Himachal Pradesh
Announced that Gita will be taught from Class 9 onward. India Today+1
Report from 2022. Implementation details (textbooks, grades beyond 9) may be less clear.
Uttarakhand
The state ordered recitation of Gita shlokas in morning assemblies in government schools, And asked NCERT to include Gita and Ramayana in syllabus for ~17,000 government schools. India Today+2Business Standard+2
The move is partly implementation (recitation) and partly proposal (syllabus inclusion). It emphasizes integration of traditional knowledge systems with modern education.
Haryana
The state’s School Education Board directed all schools (government + private affiliated) to include recitation of Gita verses in their daily prayer/assembly. India Today+1
This is about assembly recitation rather than full curricular instruction. Implementation is expected soon (news from July 2025).
Madhya Pradesh
The CM said that parts of Gita, Ramcharitmanas, Mahabharata will be included in school curriculum as part of moral/spiritual education. The Times of India
The announcement appears more preliminary; exact grade‑levels, textbooks or formal syllabus change may not be fully fleshed out yet.
West Bengal
A political figure (from ruling/opposition) stated that if his party comes to power, the Gita would be included in school syllabus. India Today
This is a political promise, not a formal implementation.
Some additional notes & caveats:
· Many of the announcements emphasize that the Gita will be included in terms of its values, stories, shlokas, moral‑lessons, rather than purely as religious instruction. (E.g., Gujarat’s minister said the Gita’s values “are accepted by people of all religions”.) The New Indian Express+1
· The difference between recitation/assembly and full curriculum inclusion is important — some states are doing the former, fewer have moved to the latter.
· Constitutional/secular‐education questions remain part of the debate (though not detailed in this table).
· Implementation in textbooks, teacher training, evaluation, and how the content is framed (neutral, academic vs devotional) are still evolving.
· The grade‑levels vary: “Classes 6‑12” in Gujarat; “Class 9 onwards” in Himachal; assembly recitation in Haryana; etc.
· Some states are requesting NCERT (a national textbook body) to include the Gita, which means change may be slower and subject to approval. (Uttarakhand case)
· Political announcements don’t always translate into immediate syllabus changes; timing and follow‑through matter.
The following is an expanded overview covering higher‑education/college/university level initiatives concerning the Bhagavad Gita, and a summary of major legal/constitutional issues that have arisen.
Table II. Colleges & Universities: Initiatives & Debates
Institution / State What’s being done or proposed Key points / Reaction
Anna University (Tamil Nadu)
A philosophy course for BTech/MTech students reportedly included the Gita, Upanishads, Vedas, etc. India Today+1
The move sparked political push‑back: actor‑politician Kamal Haasan objected, stating “people can’t dictate religion”. The Financial Express
University of Delhi (DU)
A proposed elective titled “Reading Bhagavad Gita” for first‑year MA students in political science. Education Post
The proposal is still under review; debate among faculty about framing, critical perspectives, etc.
Various colleges (for certificate/online courses)
For example, a women’s college launching a short‑term certificate course “Gita & Psychological Insights”. The Times of India
This indicates interest in using the Gita in a value/ethics/moral education format rather than strictly religious instruction.
Key observations
· At the college/university level, the Gita is being introduced often as an elective or optional course (rather than compulsory), which reduces but does not eliminate debate.
· The way in which the text is contextualized matters: Is it taught as a religious scripture? A philosophical/ethical text? A part of Indian cultural‑heritage studies? Each framing has very different implications.
· There are concerns among faculty/students about whether such courses may reduce emphasis on critical thinking, academic neutrality, or whether they may privilege one religious tradition over others. For instance, in the DU setting one critique was that the course “could lead to the propagation of ‘sectarian beliefs’”. The Times of India
· Some state governments link Gita’s inclusion with broader moral/values education rather than purely religious teaching.
Table III. Legal & Constitutional Issues
Legal Provision / Principle Issue in Context of Gita‑Inclusion
Article 28(1) of the Constitution of India: “No religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of state funds.”
Opponents of mandatory Gita‑teaching argue this applies to state‑funded schools/universities and that the Gita, being a religious scripture, counts as “religious instruction”. For example, in Uttarakhand the SC/ST Teachers’ Association cited Art 28 in opposing Gita‑verse recitations in state schools. Sentinel Assam+1
Article 25 (freedom of religion) & Article 14 (equality before law)
Challengers argue that privileging one religious text may breach equality (Art 14) and infringe on freedom of conscience (Art 25). E.g., in Gujarat a petition contended the Gita‑inclusion Favors one religion over others. The Indian Express+1
Secularism in education & the nature of “religious instruction”
Courts are being asked to decide whether teaching the Gita constitutes religious indoctrination or can be treated as moral/ethical instruction. In Gujarat, the High Court remarked “Gita’s teachings are ethical, not religious” in the context of a PIL. latestlaws.com+1
Curriculum authority and educational policy
There is debate about whether the state government can unilaterally mandate inclusion of the Gita in textbooks/syllabus when statutory bodies (e.g., state education boards or National Council of Educational Research and Training / NCERT) have defined authority. For example, in Gujarat a petition challenged whether the resolution had proper syllabus‑making basis. Scroll.in+1
Summary & Outlook
· The move to introduce the Bhagavad Gita into school and college curricula has clear momentum in several states and institutions in India.
· Many of the efforts frame the Gita as a source of moral/ethical values or Indian culture rather than purely religious instruction — this is important in terms of legal defensibility.
· Legal scrutiny is ongoing: petitions have been filed, courts have asked for responses, and judgments are awaited (especially in school‑level cases).
· At the college/university level the debate is somewhat less heated (since many initiatives are optional) but still present, especially regarding academic integrity, diversity and secularism.
· Implementation details matter a lot: whether text is compulsory/optional; whether it is taught neutrally or devotionally; whether other religious/moral systems are also included for comparative fairness; teacher training; assessment; optionality for students of other faiths, etc.
About the Author
Pradeep B. Deshpande is Professor Emeritus in and former Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Louisville. He is also president of Six Sigma and Advanced Controls based in Louisville, Kentucky. Pradeep is an author of seven books and over one hundred articles in reputed journals that include Proc. Royal Society–UK, Chemical Eng. Progress, Ind. Eng., among several others, and is a recipient of several international awards. Pradeep Deshpande’s article, A Chemical Engineer Learns New Lessons from the Bhagvad Gita earns award from California News Publishers Association, May 17, 2025. He is a Fellow of International Society for Automation. Pradeep and his wife, Meena, have been married for fifty-seven years, and they have two sons and seven adorable grandchildren. [email protected].
