From GDP to GDK—Gross Domestic Knowledge: A moment of pride and a call to action

Time of India

6 days ago

Rashmi S Chari has been actively involved in the field of education for last 34 years. She is currently Director, Academics & Training, Bhartiya Shiksha Board (BSB). She was till recently Member, Educational Research & Innovations Committee (ERIC) of Ministry of HRD, Government of India advising the apex educational institution NCERT on ways to bring qualitative improvement in teacher education through infusion of innovative practices and action research. She has consistently supported the initiatives of the Apex educational bodies as an Advisor to the Apex educational institutions of India in NCERT and CBSE on Teacher Education, Early Childhood Care and Education and National Policy of Education (2015). She has also extensively researched Human Values in Education and has developed a curriculum for teacher-education for MHRD. LESS ... MORE
India's rise to become the world's 4th largest economy, with a GDP of approximately $4.19 trillion in 2025, is a proud moment for us. Surpassing Japan in global economic rankings is not just a matter of statistics—it is a proof of determination, hard work and resilience of Indian people. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a robust 6.2% growth rate making India the fastest-growing major economy globally.
Even as we celebrate this achievement, we must ask: How do we sustain and expand this growth—and make it truly inclusive? The answer lies in education and skill development across all levels—from foundational schooling to higher education. Additionally, all of us Indians must continue to learn lifelong- whatever phase of life we are in we should continue to expand our horizons by learning more, thinking more, and doing more. These are no longer individual aspirations—they are now strategic national priorities, central to shaping India's economic future.
Bridging the gap between learning and earning
So, what can we do to connect education with employability? In both schools and universities, skill development should be promoted through experiential learning opportunities across all disciplines—languages, sciences, or social sciences—whether through hands-on school activities and projects, or internships, apprenticeships, and industry-led coursework at colleges.
Emerging sectors such as AI, data science, biotechnology, green energy, clean manufacturing, and healthcare demand a workforce equipped with specialized skills and innovative knowledge. The education fraternity must shift its focus to educational outcomes and actively collaborate with both industry and the service sector to understand evolving workforce requirements. Curricula and learning resources should be continually redesigned and upgraded based on these inputs.
The NEP 2020 directive to introduce vocational training from middle school and continue it through higher education must be thoughtfully implemented at every level to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among learners. Universities must actively enrich classroom learning by inviting professionals from diverse industries to engage with students. They should also broaden their role as hubs of research and innovation, driving the creation and application of new ideas.
Realizing India's demographic dividend through equity and inclusion
India's true potential lies in its under-30 human capital. Real progress demands that education, and opportunity should reach every corner of the country. This includes ensuring quality education in rural and remote areas and creating inclusive environments for underserved groups such as girls, differently abled learners, and those from marginalized communities. Let's train these students to use digital tools and access content in regional languages to bridge learning gaps. Scholarships, mentorship programs, and open schools and universities will enable upward mobility in education and vocational training.
Higher education institutions must extend their reach beyond campuses—through community outreach, satellite centres, and remote learning models—to ensure that all youth can access relevant knowledge and skills aligned with changing job market needs.
Skills that matter: From schools to universities
To ensure education leads to meaningful outcomes, the teaching methodology must also evolve. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recognizes that the future belongs to those who can think critically, solve problems, and innovate. Learning must go beyond rote memorization and exam performance. Therefore, these skills must be developed through competency-based pedagogy and assessments across the educational spectrum.
At the school level, this means classrooms that nurture curiosity, independent thinking, collaboration, and creativity. In higher education, it calls for interdisciplinary curricula aligned with industry needs, flexible course structures, and a greater emphasis on research, innovation, and real-world application of knowledge.
Rethinking textbooks
A key component is the transformation of textbooks from tomes of information to tools for exploration. Textbooks should no longer be dense compilations of abstract theory and repetitive drills. Instead, they must support teachers with activity ideas and discussion prompts that spark curiosity and inspire inquiry.
Experiential learning activities anchored in key concepts help students build essential competencies—critical thinking, digital literacy, civic responsibility, environmental awareness, and multilingual proficiency. Case studies that relate to real-life contexts and diverse perspectives must be incorporated to foster a vibrant and inclusive learning environment.
Transforming learning with interactive digital books
To maximize the impact of these resources, schools and universities must embrace interactive digital textbooks that enable connected, flexible, and continuous learning. These platforms provide students with 24×7 access educational content, allowing them to learn at their own pace and according to their individual needs.
Advanced digital textbooks transform learning from static to interactive by integrating search engines, multimedia, and AI-powered tools to create personalized learning pathways. Students can revisit concepts, explore related topics, and receive adaptive support. Simulated experiments and interactive visualizations add a layer of experiential learning, enabling students to understand complex ideas through virtual hands-on engagement. By offering access to a vast universe of curated knowledge and skill-building resources, digital textbooks make learning more engaging, inclusive, and future-ready.
Supporting teachers through mentorship and digital skills training
To truly transform classrooms in the schools and universities, we must invest in the people who bring them to life—our teachers. A robust system of Teacher Mentorship will ensure the continuous and comprehensive improvement in teaching-learning practices.
Veteran educators can serve as mentors by observing classroom practices, providing constructive feedback, and facilitating reflective dialogue. Periodic performance reviews of teachers and lecturers should be followed by mentoring sessions to enhance their skills in pedagogy, resolving classroom challenges, and improving student engagement.
Equally vital is the need to build educators' digital skills, enabling them to confidently integrate technology into their teaching. Continuous professional development will empower educators to innovate, adapt, and deliver high-quality, future-ready education.
A learning nation: A shared vision and responsibility
To retain our global edge, India must become a learning nation. Our policies must reflect our ambitions, but our practices must reflect our intrinsic age-old value system- the Karam Yog. Let us strive to enhance our GDK-Gross Domestic Knowledge to push our GDP to World's No1.
This is our moment—not just to rise, but to uplift.
Education at every level—from preschool to Ph.D.—must lead the way.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.