CBSE’s Bharatiya Ganit Parampara: Documenting India’s Rich Mathematical Heritage
- TPP
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
New Monograph on Indian Mathematics & Curriculum Updates in Legal Studies Reflect NEP 2020 Vision
In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the integration of India’s traditional knowledge systems into mainstream education, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the development of a comprehensive monograph titled “Bharatiya Ganit Parampara: India’s Contributions to Mathematics.”
The proposal for the monograph was recently approved during the CBSE Governing Body meeting held in June, and the minutes of the meeting were released last week. The envisioned document will be an authoritative monograph, comprising around 150–175 pages, and is intended to serve as a valuable educational resource for schools, students, and teachers, both in digital and print formats.
According to senior CBSE officials, the monograph will highlight key mathematical discoveries and innovations made in India over the centuries. It will showcase important personalities, schools of thought, and seminal mathematical texts such as the Sulba Sutras, Aryabhatiya, Brahmasphutasiddhanta, and Lilavati, along with the notable contributions of the Kerala School of Mathematics.
The Sulba Sutras are ancient Indian texts that dealt with geometry, especially in the context of constructing altars for Vedic rituals.
The Aryabhatiya, authored by Aryabhata in 499 CE, covers arithmetic, algebra, and astronomy.
Brahmasphutasiddhanta, written by Brahmagupta, introduced the concept of zero as a number and rules for operations involving zero and negative numbers.
Lilavati, by Bhaskara II, is a famous 12th-century treatise that explains arithmetic and algebra through poetic language and real-life problems.
The Kerala School of Mathematics, active from the 14th to 16th century, is known for pioneering work in calculus-like concepts centuries before European mathematicians.
In addition to mathematical content, the monograph will delve into applied aspects of Indian mathematics in fields such as astronomy, architecture, commerce, and education. To ensure the authenticity and scholarly value of the material, the monograph will include translated original Sanskrit shlokas (verses) along with source references from primary historical texts.
CBSE will constitute an expert advisory committee comprising historians of mathematics, Sanskrit scholars, mathematics educators, and other academicians to oversee the structure, accuracy, and pedagogical relevance of the content. The actual development will be undertaken by an academic partner or agency, which will be selected through an open and transparent process.
Funding for this project will be allocated from the Academic Unit’s budget for curriculum research and resource development, or through specific approvals from the competent authority, ensuring the project is adequately supported.
In parallel with this initiative, CBSE has also decided to revise the Legal Studies curriculum for Classes 11 and 12, to reflect the recent reforms in India’s legal framework. These revisions are prompted by the introduction of three new landmark legislations that were enacted during 2023–24, replacing several colonial-era laws:
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) – replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) – replaces the Indian Evidence Act
These reforms aim to modernise India's criminal justice system, making it more citizen-centric, efficient, and aligned with contemporary legal needs.
The existing Legal Studies textbooks, introduced over five years ago, will be overhauled to include:
Key provisions from the BNS, BNSS, and BSA
Landmark judgments
Recent legal doctrines
Removal of outdated laws such as sedition, Section 377, and triple talaq
To ensure thoroughness and quality, CBSE will form another expert committee, and a content development agency may be engaged for the actual revision. The updated syllabus and textbooks are expected to be ready for implementation in the 2026–27 academic session.
Both these initiatives—the Bharatiya Ganit Parampara monograph and the revision of the Legal Studies curriculum—represent significant steps towards making India’s school curriculum culturally rooted while remaining globally relevant. They not only promote historical awareness but also encourage analytical thinking by connecting traditional knowledge systems with modern applications.
Missed Today’s Headlines? → Catch All Daily News in One Place
Click here → for Daily Motivational Quotes
Stay updated with the latest news by joining our Telegram channel – The PRESS Pad , and follow us on Instagram and X
Comments