In a move that was in pipeline for two-years, the Gujarat government launched a supplementary textbook on the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ on the occasion of Gita Jayanti on Dec 22.

The textbook will be part of the curriculum of classes 6 to 8 from the academic year 2024-25.

Minister of state for education, Praful Pansheriya, said that this decision aligns with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) introduced by the centre.

“The state has decided to include the spiritual principles and values of ‘Shrimad Bhagavad Gita’ in all government schools in Gujarat as a supplementary textbook in the curriculum of classes 6 to 8,” said Panseriya on X.

The first part is designed for classes 6–8, and two additional parts for students in classes 9–12 are also in the works.

Almost 18 lakh textbooks will be printed for students in the state. The price of the book is yet to be decided for private schools, while state government students will get free copies.

The Bhagavad Gita textbook will feature Gujarati-translated copy of the Gita with shlokas, their meanings and animated drawings.

The textbooks will be a mandatory part of state government schools, grant schools, and private schools.

However, only Gujarati medium will get the textbooks, as Hindi and English-translated copies are yet to be launched.

In March 2022, the Gujarat government announced in the state Assembly that the Bhagavad Gita would become a part of the school syllabus for classes 6 to 12 throughout the state.

For more such updates and news on the go, follow us on Instagram | YouTube | Facebook