New Delhi: In the last few months, courses on Hinduism, Hindu Studies, and related subjects seemed to have gained popularity in some Indian universities.For instance, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University in Kanpur has introduced three courses: a certificate and a diploma course on ‘Karmkand’, and a masters course in ‘Jyotirvigyan’ (Astroscience), the Hindu reported.‘Karmkand’ means ritualism. It refers to the section of the Vedas that lists the performance of rituals and sacrificial rites for material benefits or for liberation, which are performed by Brahmins in exchange for a Dakshina.The course initially attracted 29 students but saw increased enrolment due to its popularity, the newspaper reported.“We were forced to increase seats mid-session. Now the administration is deliberating on further increasing the seats for the upcoming session,” Vishal Sharma, the media in-charge and a faculty member at CSJM University, told the daily.“Our class is full of people who are excited to study the subject which we have spent a lot of time discussing at home and outside,” one of the students, Punit Tiwari, 39, told the newspaper. Tiwari runs a CCTV outsourcing business in Kanpur.According to Tiwari, the students belong to various backgrounds, including Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and some of them are retired government employees. He added that most of the students have enrolled in the course out of personal interest in the subject, and not for job opportunities.The university refused to verify or deny these claims, the report added.These courses were launched under the New Education Policy 2020, aiming to promote “ancient and eternal Indian knowledge”, the daily said.These courses are structured around a flexible credit system and have been developed with the input of scholars in Sanskrit education. The curriculum for the certificate course includes subjects like methods of worship and an introduction to the almanac, while the master’s programme in Jyotirvigyan focuses on modern and scientific aspects of ancient Vedic astronomical and astrological knowledge.Similar Karmkand courses have been introduced at Gorakhpur and Lucknow University, and more universities are expected to follow suit, said the daily.Similarly, Delhi University has introduced a new ‘Hindu Studies’ course. It has been launched under the newly established Centre for Hindu Studies. It will be offered at postgraduate and doctoral levels from the next academic year.Banaras Hindu University is the only other central university offering similar courses, the Print reported.