UGC’s draft maths curriculum faces opposition from academics, petition calls for withdrawal
New Delhi: The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) proposed undergraduate mathematics curriculum, which introduces traditional Indian concepts such as Bharatiya Bijganit (Indian algebra) and Kala Ganpana (traditional timekeeping), has sparked sharp criticism from the academic community.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald, more than 900 teachers, researchers, and scholars, including faculty members from the Indian Institute of Science, several IITs, Ashoka University, and other institutions—have signed a petition demanding the withdrawal of the draft.
In the petition, the signatories said they were “deeply concerned” about the draft framework, warning that it was “riddled with grave defects” and could “damage the prospects of generations of students” if implemented. They have urged the Centre to constitute a fresh panel of expert mathematicians and experienced undergraduate teachers to design a revised curriculum.
One of the primary objections raised is the alleged dilution of core mathematical concepts. The petition notes that algebra has been “short-changed,” with the draft failing to provide the minimum three courses required for a strong undergraduate foundation. Applied mathematics has also come under criticism, with the petition pointing out that programming and numerical methods have been excluded from the core, while statistics has been compressed into a single course.
The petition further highlights that courses involving statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields usually include practical and application-based components, but such provisions are missing in the UGC’s draft. “The future of mathematics and indeed all scientific endeavour in the country is at stake,” the petition warns.
The UGC has not yet issued an official response to the objections raised.
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TN man drowns in quarry pit in Karnataka's Udupi
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): A man hailing from Tamil Nadu drowned in a water-filled stone quarry in this district, police said on Friday.
The incident occurred at Yedthadi village near Brahmavar in Udupi district on Thursday, they said.
According to the police, the complainant, Thangavelu of Tamil Nadu, had stated that his nephew Arun had come to visit him and had accidentally fallen into the quarry void filled with water. The incident occurred at an abandoned quarry pit that had accumulated rainwater.
Following the incident, a case has been registered against the quarry operators, Basheer and Sharath Shetty, on charges of alleged negligence for failing to secure the premises and prevent access to the hazardous site, a senior police officer said.
Based on the complaint, the Brahmavar police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, he said.
Brahmavar police are investigating, he added.
