Sanskrit May Become Mandatory in Kashmir Schools for Classes 6–10: MoE Begins Groundwork
Srinagar, July 18 – The Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, is actively considering the introduction of Sanskrit as a mandatory subject for students from classes 6 to 10 in schools across the Kashmir division. For classes 3 to 5, the ministry is exploring the option of offering Sanskrit as an optional subject.
To facilitate this move, the Jammu & Kashmir School Education Department (SED) has initiated a comprehensive data collection drive. The department is gathering details regarding the availability of Sanskrit teachers, vacancies, infrastructure, and learning resources. The deadline to complete this exercise and submit findings to the MoE in New Delhi is July 30, 2025.
According to official records, the SED issued a directive (Edu/327/2023-01(7/724278)) on May 26, 2025, to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), instructing them to coordinate the data collection. In response, SCERT Kashmir has directed all District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) to compile and submit the required information.
“In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, we are initiating the process to introduce Sanskrit as a mandatory subject for classes 6 to 10 and as an optional subject for classes 3 to 5,” reads a communication from the Joint Director of SCERT Kashmir.
The DIETs have been asked to provide the following:
- Number of qualified Sanskrit teachers (with Shastri degree or equivalent).
- General Line teachers or Masters willing to undergo Sanskrit training.
- Existing vacancies for Sanskrit teachers in secondary and higher secondary schools.
- Availability of classrooms or dedicated spaces for Sanskrit instruction.
- Access to NCERT Sanskrit textbooks like Sanchita and Manika.
- Current status of Sanskrit in schools under their jurisdiction (mandatory, optional, or not offered).
- Challenges in introducing or sustaining Sanskrit education.
- Estimated additional teaching staff required.
- Training or resource needs to support the initiative.
- School feedback on integrating Sanskrit as a subject.
All DIETs have been instructed to submit accurate and verified data by July 20, 2025, to support effective planning and implementation.
An academic officer from SCERT confirmed that the department is compiling all inputs from DIETs and will submit a detailed report to the administrative department soon. “This exercise is being carried out in collaboration with MoE and NCERT to evaluate the feasibility of introducing Sanskrit in the school curriculum,” the officer added.