The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has introduced Ayurveda and Yoga as topics in environmental science for Classes IX and X. The council has developed new resource material to make the subject more engaging and transformative.

In line with the National Education Policy 2020, the focus is on the Indian Knowledge Systems, that highlights traditional practices developed over centuries, including philosophy, science, arts, and culture.

Curriculum Approach

Ayurveda is included as an ancient system of medicine using herbs and natural remedies.

Yoga is presented as a practice that enhances overall fitness and health, emphasizing its deeper connection to lifestyle and well-being.

The curriculum also includes a table of medicinal plants (Indian and global) and their uses. Topics like water conservation, biodiversity, ecosystems, and sustainability have been added as an inclusive part of the subject matter.

The board said that the new material is designed to:

• Promote environmental awareness and critical thinking

• Provide a comprehensive, structured learning framework

• Include topics such as unsustainable development, human development, and environmental crises

CEO’s Verdict

CISCE Chief executive and secretary Joseph Emmanuel said, "This resource material has been thoughtfully developed to support schools and teachers in delivering environmental science as an engaging and transformative learning experience. Aligned with the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, it integrates diverse topics and subtopics related to environmental awareness and critical thinking.”

He added that “Topics such as the social and economic consequences of unsustainable development, Indian Knowledge Systems and practices like Ayurveda, Yoga, water conservation, the trajectory of human development, the impact of the Triple Planetary Crisis, sustainable handprint actions, and many others have been thoughtfully included, with a well-defined scope and progression, to provide a comprehensive and coherent learning framework."

Reactions from Schools

Several school principals said they had already incorporated practices like yoga as part of physical education. Now, students will study these topics in greater detail. Mousumi Saha, principal of National English School, said, "We have yoga classes for students, but when it is included in the curriculum, students will take it more seriously. Moreover, many relevant topics have been included, which I think students need to learn."

Rodney Borneo, principal of St Augustine's Day School, Shyamnagar, said it is a welcome move by the council and that students will learn many things that will lead them towards experiential learning.

Quick Takeaway

CISCE board is focusing on turning India’s traditional knowledge into structured academic learning, alongside environmental science. The move aims to pair the knowledge of our roots with the awareness of the modern world to create a balanced curriculum for future generations.