Astrology as a subject of study in degree courses was introduce by University Grant Commission (UGC) in year 2000. Prior to this some Sanskrit collages and institutes use to have astrology in their curriculum of Acharya and Shastri degrees. However, there was no dedicated degree courses in astrology such as B.A. and/or M.A. in astrology. In year 2000 then HRD minister Shri Murli Manohar Joshi ordered UGC to introduce astrology as ‘ Jyotir Vigyan’ degree course in Universities. This decision of HRD ministry by then BJP government ignited many rationalist, scientist and communist politicians. Two cases were filed against this decision, one in Madras High  Court and the other in Andhra Pradesh High Court, both of which were dismissed. The petitioners  from Andhra Pradesh filed an appeal in the Supreme Court and they subsequently lost the case there also. Shri K.N. Rao appeared as a private petitioner in this case in the Supreme Court to defend the cause of astrology which he did successfully. He has mentioned the details of this matter in his book “Jyotisha the super-science”.

However, things are still very miserable as far as teaching astrology is concern in India is concern as non of the top ranked Universities are offering any courses in this ancient subject. Delhi University , Calcutta University , Jawhar Lal Nehru University (JNU) are among the top ranked Indian Universities and none of these have have any astrology courses to offer. Only the Banaras Hindu University is among the premier Indian Universities which is teaching astrology as a degree subject in their affiliated   collages.Continue Reading