Evolution of the evaluation system of education in India: A comparative analysis

Abstract

Evaluation is a technique that effectively provides comprehensive information about a student. Thus, it is an integral part of the education system. This study examines the evolution of the evaluation system in Indian education from ancient times to the contemporary era. Content analysis is employed to interpret the data. It explores the diverse paradigms of evaluation systems across periods, including the Vedic, Epic, Dharmasastra, Buddhist, Medieval, British, and Contemporary periods. It illustrates a dynamic transition from the oral, character-centric, and holistic evaluations of the ancient period to the written, performance-based, and standardized testing models of the contemporary era. The study also compares the evaluation systems across these different periods. The contemporary system is more inclusive and structured, but often lacks the individualized and value-based evaluation that was an integral part of the earlier systems. This study emphasizes the need to reimagine modern evaluation practices by integrating the strengths of traditional approaches with the demands of present-day education.