India’s National Council of Educational Research and Training has made controversial changes to its science curriculum for children under 16 (see Nature 618, 8 (2023) and Nature https://doi.org/kgc2; 2023). But, given the nation’s history of enlightened scientific thought, shifting the teaching of evolution to older students in more advanced classes is unlikely to affect the religious beliefs and sentiments of most Indians.

Although the teaching of evolution is illegal in several countries, every intelligent Indian (not just scientists) would probably oppose such a move. Many Hindus and Buddhists feel that evolution provides the best explanation for how humans came into existence. And believing in evolution and being spiritual or religious are not considered to be mutually exclusive.

Science education nurtures a questioning and inquisitive mind, so it should not be subject to political propaganda that could create a regressive mindset. India’s long history of progressive, transformative and exploratory scientific thinking (see, for example, Nāsadīya Sūkta, the 129th hymn of the tenth mandala of the Rig Veda, on the creation of the cosmos) offers our best protection.