Gurukul to Governance: Exploring Indian Knowledge Paradigms in Educational Management

Baishnab Charan Swain

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.85970

Gurukul to Governance: Exploring Indian Knowledge Paradigms in Educational Management

Author(s)	Prof. Dr. Baishnab Charan Swain
Country	India
Abstract	The growing emphasis on culturally responsive and value-based educational leadership has renewed scholarly interest in the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) as a foundation for educational management. This paper examines how the philosophical and administrative principles embedded in the Gurukul tradition can inform contemporary educational governance. Adopting a qualitative and conceptual research design based on an extensive review of classical Indian texts, contemporary literature, and educational policy documents, the study analyses the relevance of core IKS concepts such as Dharma (ethical responsibility), Jnana (knowledge), Karma (purposeful action), and the Guru–Shishya Parampara (teacher–disciple tradition) in educational leadership and institutional management. The paper further explores governance principles reflected in ancient Indian traditions and leadership models illustrated in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other classical sources to identify their applicability in modern educational institutions. The analysis suggests that integrating IKS principles into educational management promotes ethical leadership, participatory governance, institutional accountability, holistic student development, and community engagement. The study proposes a conceptual framework that bridges indigenous educational wisdom with contemporary management practices, demonstrating how traditional knowledge can complement evidence-based administrative approaches. By positioning IKS as a strategic resource for educational governance rather than merely a cultural legacy, this paper contributes to the emerging discourse on decolonising educational leadership and developing contextually relevant management models. The findings have significant implications for policymakers, teacher educators, institutional leaders, and higher education administrators seeking to create sustainable, inclusive, and value-driven educational institutions aligned with India's evolving educational landscape.
Keywords	Keywords: Indian Knowledge System (IKS); Educational Management; Gurukul System; Educational Governance; Ethical Leadership; Guru–Shishya Tradition; Educational Administration.
Field	Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-17
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.85970

View / Download PDF File

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Gurukul to Governance: Exploring Indian Knowledge Paradigms in Educational Management

Share this