New Delhi: The Kerala government has said it will formally oppose the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) draft learning outcomes-based curriculum framework, which it views as an attempt to “impose Hindutva ideology on students,” The Hindu reported.

An initial review by the Kerala State Higher Education Council found troubling inclusions in the draft. The council will now set up an expert panel to prepare a detailed response, Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal told The Hindu. He pointed to curricula in subjects such as anthropology, commerce, political science, and physical education that appeared aligned with the ideological interests of the Sangh Parivar.

Higher education minister R. Bindu described the drafts as “regressive and unscientific.” She strongly objected to the proposed inclusion of V. D. Savarkar’s works in political science reading lists, and criticised the suggestion to frame corporate governance and social responsibility through the lens of “Ram Rajya.” According to the newspaper, she argued that these recommendations undermine secular and pluralist values.

Critics have also flagged academic and structural issues in the draft framework. The proposed syllabi, they argue, lack scientific rigor, dilute disciplinary depth, and risk overburdening students with ideological rather than empirical content. For example, concepts drawn from religious texts and nationalist ideologues are introduced into fields such as chemistry, economics, and public policy, raising fears that the framework undermines evidence-based learning and reduces space for critical inquiry. The heavy reliance on “Indian Knowledge Systems” has been criticised for sidelining global academic perspectives and limiting students’ competitiveness in higher education and research.

While the Union government and UGC promote the draft as advancing multidisciplinary and holistic learning, Kerala has accused the framework of contradicting those goals by embedding ideological content. The state government has warned against what it calls the “saffronisation” of higher education.

As The Hindu report notes, Kerala’s stance puts it on a collision course with the Centre, adding to a growing federal flashpoint around control of education policy. The state is expected to formally communicate its objections to the UGC shortly, a move likely to resonate with other opposition-led states.

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