In India Academics and education has their significance since the Vedic period. Therefore the educational system existing in India has not developed in a day instead it incorporates the education system that was prevalent in the Vedic, Buddhist, and mediaeval times and in the current centuries and was developed over centuries.
Education in India in the Vedic period
While discussing how Educational system in India evolved over the years we need to first discuss Education in the Vedic, Buddhist and the medieval periods. In the Vedic period there used to exist cordial relations between the gurus and their Shish as. The Gurus used to teach their students popularly known as Shish as in ashrams or Guru Dhams. The curriculum used to include the four Vedas and they are Rig, Sama, Yayur, Atharva, The students were also taught lessons on medicine under Ayurveda.
Education in India in the Buddhist Era
As time passed and India was very much under the grip of Buddhism, then a great many number of Buddhist schools emerged where the teachings of the Buddha were imparted to the students. The students were taught the art of renunciation and meditation. The different Buddhist schools have their own unique architecture and are known as monasteries and the Buddhist students are known as monks.
Education in India in the Mediaeval Era
In the Mediaeval period which spanned for centuries, India was ruled by the Moguls and other Muslim rulers of Persia. Their aim is to spread the teachings of the Prophet in this part of the world. Their actions are justified by the Koran and we witnessed mass conversion from other religions to Islam. The education was imparted basically in Madras as and Islamic schools. Islamic architecture is famous in the world. In mediaeval India we witnessed the construction of many monuments in India which are world famous.
Education in India in the British era
After the moguls, India was ruled by the British East India Company. The company objectives were firstly to have a continuous supply of well trained babus who can control the administration on the company's behalf and secondly to spread Christianity in India through the establishment of Christian mission schools and churches. So the academic policy of the company was based on these two prime reasons. But it is during the British rule in India that India have witnessed the development of a number of universities and educational institutions in India. The aim however was to deliver the primary as well as secondary education to the local people so that they can understand properly the company's policy. The medium of instruction was English. For recruitment in schools and colleges, teachers were trained. Emphasize was given to women's education and vocational training. The Company aimed to spread Christianity among the local people. Religious education was also given due significance.
Post Independence education in India
Post independence of India has witnessed a drastic change in the Academic policy of India. The National education commission suggested some norms and recommendations of primary, secondary and tertiary education in India and based on the norms and recommendations a student's academic career is split up in primary, secondary and tertiary education. In the revised national policy on education funds were allocated for research studies in the fields of Science, arts and commerce at the tertiary academic level.