Paper Details

India’s educational and cultural traditions constitute a heritage that spans millennia. From the philosophical underpinnings of ancient Gurukul systems and the universities of Nalanda and Takshashila, to the colonial legacies and post‐independence reforms culminating in the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), the interplay between Indian culture and education has shaped identity, values, social cohesion, and knowledge systems. This paper examines the importance of Indian education and culture from historical, philosophical, pedagogical, and policy perspectives. It analyzes how indigenous knowledge systems, cultural values, languages, rituals, arts, and social institutions contribute to holistic learning, ethical development, and sustainable societal progress. Challenges such as colonial disruption, globalization, standardization pressures, language loss, resource inequality, and mismatch with modern demands are also addressed. The paper concludes with recommendations for integrating culture into curricula, strengthening teacher education, supporting multilingualism, and fostering community participation to sustain India’s educational legacy while adapting to contemporary needs.

Indian education ,Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) ,Cultural identity ,National Education Policy 2020 ,Language policy ,Holistic learning ,Pedagogy ,Colonial legacy ,Moral and ethical values ,Community participation