Interdisciplinary Pedagogies in Indian Universities: Challenges and Innovations

Interdisciplinary pedagogy has emerged as a critical strategy in higher education, enabling students to integrate knowledge across multiple disciplines, foster creativity, and address complex societal challenges. In the context of Indian universities, interdisciplinary teaching and learning face unique opportunities and constraints, including traditional disciplinary silos, institutional policies, faculty preparedness, and resource limitations. This research paper examines the implementation of interdisciplinary pedagogies in Indian higher education, exploring innovations, challenges, and strategies for effective integration across diverse academic programs.
The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys of 1,200 faculty members and students across multiple universities, qualitative interviews with 50 academic administrators, curriculum developers, and faculty coordinators, and secondary analysis of 60 institutional reports and pedagogical case studies from 2018–2025. Data collected focuses on interdisciplinary curriculum adoption, teaching methodologies, faculty expertise, student engagement, and institutional support mechanisms. Key findings indicate that while interdisciplinary pedagogies enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative learning, their implementation is constrained by structural, administrative, and cultural barriers within traditional academic frameworks.
Challenges identified include limited faculty training in interdisciplinary methods, assessment difficulties, lack of institutional incentives, and resistance to curriculum restructuring. Recommendations include faculty development programs, creation of interdisciplinary research and teaching centers, curriculum flexibility, adoption of collaborative and experiential learning models, and development of institutional policies supporting interdisciplinary innovation. The study concludes that fostering interdisciplinary pedagogy in Indian universities requires systemic reform, targeted faculty training, resource investment, and culturally sensitive implementation strategies to prepare students for complex, real-world problem- solving and knowledge integration.