Shodh Prabha: A Multidisciplinary Journal

Indian Knowledge Systems and Disability: Integrating the Vision of NEP 2020

This chapter examines the relevance of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in understanding disability within contemporary India, particularly in light of the National Education Policy 2020. Moving beyond a biomedical framework, disability is analyzed as a socio-cultural, ethical, and political phenomenon shaped by indigenous philosophical traditions, community practices, and institutional structures. Drawing on classical texts such as the Vedas and Upanishads, as well as sociological and anthropological scholarship, the chapter explores how disability has been historically conceptualized in India. It further interrogates the tensions between traditional interpretations—such as karma and fate—and contemporary rights-based approaches. By situating NEP 2020 within this broader intellectual landscape, the chapter argues for a culturally grounded yet critically informed model of inclusive education that integrates ethical values, social justice, and structural transformation