ThePrint ThePrintPod: Centre forms expert panel to review UGC draft curriculum amid concerns over ‘grave defects’
Oct 8, 2025
The Centre has formed a high-level expert committee to review the controversial UGC draft undergraduate curriculum. With over 900 academics petitioning against it, the mathematics content has faced significant backlash. Concerns include the proposed inclusion of ancient Indian concepts like Sutra-based arithmetic. Kerala and Karnataka governments have rejected the draft, arguing that it promotes ideological imposition and relies on outdated material. The draft is classified as guidance, leaving states and universities to choose whether to adopt it.
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Expert Panel To Review Contested Draft
- The Centre formed an expert committee to review the UGC's draft undergraduate curriculum amid allegations of factual errors and outdated content.
- The committee will review the drafts and consult the original developers before finalising feedback.
Draft Tied To NEP, Targets Multiple Subjects
- UGC released draft curricula in August aligned with LOCF under NEP 2020 for nine subjects including mathematics and political science.
- The mathematics draft attracted strong criticism for proposing ancient methods like Sutra-based arithmetic and Shulva Sutra geometry.
Academics' Petition Against Math Draft
- Over 900 mathematicians and academics signed a petition asking Higher Education Secretary Vinit Joshi to withdraw the mathematics draft.
- They warned the draft had "grave defects" and could harm future students' academic prospects.