Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)

Bridging Ancient Wisdom with Contemporary Thought The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) embodies the profound synergy between ancient wisdom and modern innovation. Far from being confined to the past, IKS offers a timeless framework for understanding the world—rooted in indigenous philosophies, holistic and natural sciences, ethical living, and sustainable practices. Drawing from millennia-old traditions in fields such as medicine, astronomy, agriculture, mathematics, linguistics, metaphysics, arts and culture IKS serves as a vital knowledge ecosystem that speaks to today’s global challenges.

With the guiding principle of Gyan Vigyan Vimuktaye —knowledge and science as pathways to liberation—IKS champions integrative thought, fostering dialogue between classical insights and contemporary disciplines. The Assam Royal Global University, through its IKS Cell established on 24th January 2024, envisions this knowledge not as relics of the past, but as living traditions—to be studied, applied, and evolved. As the world seeks sustainable, inclusive, and ethical solutions, IKS stands at the crossroads of heritage and innovation, offering a rooted yet forward-looking vision of education and inquiry.

Empowering Indigenous Wisdom for Contemporary Society

Aligned with the vision of the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, Ministry of Education, Government of India, the IKS Cell at The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) serves as a dynamic platform for the revival, reinterpretation, and integration of India’s diverse knowledge traditions. The Cell focuses particularly on the rich indigenous heritage of Northeast India, nurturing a confluence of ancient wisdom and contemporary thought.

Core Responsibilities of the IKS Cell:

Revitalization and Promotion

Promote and propagate Indian Knowledge Systems through interdisciplinary education, applied research, and community engagement—with a special emphasis on Northeast India’s traditional ecological knowledge, folk healing, oral histories, and cultural practices.

Academic Integration

Embed IKS principles across academic curricula—including but not limited to philosophy, agriculture, mathematics, natural science, vernacular architecture, linguistics, literature, Ayurveda, yoga, folklore, and environmental studies—through collaborations with national and global IKS networks, research bodies, and archives.

Documentation and Digitization

Undertake the scientific documentation, archiving, and digitization of manuscripts, oral narratives, indigenous practices, and endangered knowledge systems for future generations and scholarly inquiry.

Community Outreach and Capacity Building

Conduct lectures, field visits, folk art festivals, heritage workshops, and hands-on training to strengthen cultural pride, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and sustainable livelihood models.

Policy and Innovation Support

Assist in shaping IKS-related policies, advocate for knowledge-based grassroots innovations, and bridge traditional knowledge with 21st-century challenges in climate, health, and education.

Internship Opportunity: Research & Community Service Project Exploring Roots, Empowering Communities.

The Intern – Research & Community Service Project is a unique experiential learning opportunity designed for students, researchers, and young professionals passionate about cultural sustainability, indigenous knowledge, and social impact.

Role Overview:

As part of this internship, the intern will engage in immersive fieldwork and collaborative research, under the guidance of faculty mentors and community leaders. This initiative contributes to the university’s larger mission of culturally rooted, socially responsive, and knowledge-driven development.

Key Responsibilities:

Field-Based Ethnographic Research

Conduct qualitative and participatory research focusing on indigenous practices, folk traditions, community knowledge systems, and sustainable living models.

Documentation & Knowledge Curation

Assist in the creation of field reports, ethnographic films, photographic archives, and multilingual digital content for academic and public dissemination.

Community Engagement

Help organize workshops, storytelling sessions, heritage festivals, and youth engagement activities to foster cultural awareness and social inclusion.

Content Creation & Awareness

Develop content for newsletters, reports, digital media, and academic posters to promote the project's outcomes and build wider visibility.

Skill and Capacity Development

Facilitate grassroots training sessions in the areas of cultural entrepreneurship, ecological awareness, and traditional crafts—especially involving local youth and women.

Outcome and Impact:

This integrated initiative nurtures leadership, empathy, field experience, and interdisciplinary skills, while contributing directly to the national vision of Bharatiya Gyan Parampara as a driver of innovation and sustainability. Interns become ambassadors of change, working at the intersection of heritage, research, and community transformation.

Scholarly Publication and Dissemination

Facilitate the publication of research findings through academic journals, edited volumes, policy briefs, and institutional reports to contribute to national and global discourse on Indian Knowledge Systems and indigenous studies.