During his first formal meeting with the Vice-Chancellors from Maharashtra’s 24 non-agricultural universities on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Governor Acharya Devvrat mandated the diligent implementation of both the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He also instructed them to submit quarterly progress reports to Raj Bhavan. Expressing deep concern over the falling university rankings in an increasingly competitive landscape, the Governor urged these institutions to take swift and decisive action to rectify the situation.
Addressing the Vice-Chancellors and department secretaries, Governor Devvrat emphasized that universities have a broader responsibility than merely granting degrees. He stated, “The duty of universities is not limited to imparting literacy and awarding degrees. They must also provide skill-based education, nurture entrepreneurship, and develop students into responsible citizens who will contribute to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
However, this new directive has not been met with universal approval. Several educational experts have sharply criticized the Governor’s stance, labeling it as both regressive and impractical. They argue that the move serves primarily to advance the ideological agenda of the RSS through the guise of the Indian Knowledge System.
For clarity, the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) represents a vast and rich reservoir of indigenous wisdom, spanning millennia of development in science, philosophy, technology, and the arts within India. It encompasses not only classical traditions but also the unique customs of diverse communities. The core objective of IKS is to foster interdisciplinary research, safeguard traditional knowledge for practical societal uses, and seamlessly integrate it into contemporary educational curricula to promote holistic development. It stands as a pivotal element of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with specific domains including Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, and various forms of classical Indian music and dance.
The Governor’s detailed directives to the universities include several key mandates: submitting quarterly progress reports to Raj Bhavan; acknowledging and actively pursuing the university’s crucial role in molding responsible citizens; implementing strategies to elevate national institutional rankings; actively promoting student participation in sports and physical activities; prioritizing skill-based education for female students as a cornerstone of women’s empowerment; ensuring robust transparency, efficiency, and integrity in administrative functions; conducting routine inspections of student hostels, dining facilities, and sanitation; and rigorously executing the ‘School Connect Programme’ to boost enrollment in higher education.
He further asserted, “If India is to reclaim its historical prominence, its youth represent its most valuable asset. Today’s students are sharp and perceptive; they keenly observe their teachers’ conduct, punctuality, and the depth of their knowledge. Consequently, it is imperative that educators maintain discipline, stay updated in their fields, and consistently uphold punctuality.”
Expert Views: Impractical and Regressive?
Datta Balsaraf, a prominent social scientist and education expert, expressed strong disapproval in an interview with The Hindu. He stated, “While the Governor is typically seen as the ceremonial head or Chancellor of universities, these specific directives are unprecedented in the state’s history. Submitting quarterly reports, particularly concerning the intricate implementation of Indian Knowledge Systems, is simply not practical. Given the Governor’s recent comments about the Prime Minister, this approach isn’t entirely surprising. However, it’s deeply detrimental to the nation’s scientific ethos. At a time when India aims to become Atmanirbhar Bharat and compete globally through cutting-edge research, we are unfortunately moving backward with regressive instructions instead of fostering progressive advancements.”
Balsaraf further questioned, “Where are the Indian Nobel laureates? What tangible efforts is our education system making to address this? Instead, the primary focus appears to be the RSS agenda embedded within the Indian Knowledge System. This exerts undue pressure on the intellectual freedom within academia. The long-term consequences for higher education institutions will be severe, likely leading to an increase in meritorious Indian students seeking education abroad as a direct result of these measures.”