Lok Sabha Question No. 1172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Fields of Studies
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1172 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 / 09 / 2020

## Fields of Studies

## 1172. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government plans to introduce new fields of studies such as Women's Studies or Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Media Studies, Dalit Studies, Studies of Discrimination and  Exclusion,  Environmental  Studies  and  Development  Studies  as  per  New  Educational Policy, 2020;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the details therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION

## (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a)  to  (c):  The  New  Education  Policy  aims  at  a  holistic  and  multidisciplinary  education  to develop all capacities of human beings -intellectual, aesthetic, social, physical, emotional, and moral in an integrated manner. Such an education will help develop well-rounded individuals that  possess  critical  21st  century  capacities  in  fields  across  the  arts,  humanities,  languages, sciences, social sciences, and professional, technical, and vocational fields; an ethic of social engagement;  soft  skills,  such  as  communication,  discussion  and  debate;  and  rigorous specialization in a chosen field or fields. Such a holistic education shall be, in the long term, the approach of all undergraduate programmes, including those in professional, technical, and vocational disciplines.

Towards the attainment  of  such  a  holistic  and  multidisciplinary  education,  the  flexible  and innovative  curricula  of  all  Higher  Education  Institutions  (HEIs)  shall  include  credit-based courses  and  projects  in  the  areas  of  community  engagement  and  service,  environmental education,  and  value-based  education.  Environment  education  will  include  areas  such  as climate change, pollution, waste management, sanitation, conservation of biological diversity, management of biological  resources  and  biodiversity,  forest  and  wildlife  conservation,  and sustainable development and living. Value-based education will include the development of humanistic,  ethical,  Constitutional,  and  universal  human  values  of  truth  (satya),  righteous conduct  (dharma),  peace  (shanti),  love  (prem),  nonviolence  (ahimsa),  scientific  temper, citizenship values, and also life-skills; lessons in seva/service and participation in community service programmes will be considered an integral part of a holistic education. As the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, Global Citizenship Education (GCED), a response to contemporary global challenges, will be provided to empower learners to become aware of and  understand  global  issues  and  to  become  active  promoters  of  more  peaceful,  tolerant, inclusive, secure, and sustainable societies. Finally, as part of a holistic education, students at all  HEIs will be provided with opportunities for internships with local industry, businesses, artists, crafts persons, etc., as well as research internships with faculty and researchers at their own  or  other  HEIs/research  institutions,  so  that  students  may  actively  engage  with  the practical side of their learning and, as a by-product, further improve their employability.

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