The document contrasts local knowledge, specific to communities and shaped over time through experiences, with universal knowledge, which is accepted globally and based on scientific understanding. Local knowledge includes practical skills and cultural practices, while universal knowledge encompasses broader truths and phenomena. Both types of knowledge evolve with time, reflecting the relationship between individuals and their environments.

1. Local Knowledge (स्थानीय ज्ञान)
and
Universal Knowledge (सार्वभौमिक ज्ञान)
Dr. Deivam M
Assistant Professor
Department of Education
H.N.B Garhwal University
(A Central University)
S.R.T Campus, Tehri Garhwal
Uttarakhand – 249 199

2. Local knowledge
It refers to information or understanding specific to a particular
state, community, or region.
It evolves over time within a given community and continues to
grow.
It is rooted in practical common sense, shaped by teachings and
experiences handed down through generations.
Known by other terms such as traditional knowledge or
indigenous knowledge.

3. Types of Local Knowledge
1. Common Knowledge:
o Known by most people in a community.
o Example: Cooking the local food.
2. Shared Knowledge:
o Known by many but not all members of the community.
3. Specialized Knowledge:
o Possessed by only a few individuals with special training or experience.
o Examples: Villagers trained as healers, midwives, or blacksmiths.

4. Characteristics of Local Knowledge
• Based on individual and community experiences,
• Tested over centuries, and
• Based on local culture and environment.
• It includes community practices, institutions, relationship, and rituals;
• It is dynamic and changing;
• It is a collection of facts, concepts, beliefs, and perceptions that people
have about the environment around them;
• It applies to knowledge possessed by rural, urban, migrants, etc.
• It is based on tribal, original inhabitants, and experiences of elder
generations;

5. •It is observed, experimented, and experienced by people;
• It reflects people’s behaviours, and the ability of problem
solving in a specific situation;
• It includes processes whereby knowledge is generated,
stored, applied, and transmitted to others;
• It is holistic, and cannot be compartmentalized. It is rooted
in the spiritual healing, culture, and language of the people,
and is a way of life; and
• It is dynamic and constantly changing as it adapts to a
changing environment.

6. Universal knowledge
• It refers to knowledge that is accepted by all people globally and is considered
common to everyone.
 It is a new approach, sometimes referred to as meta-science.
 Provides developmental answers to diverse questions.
 Encompasses cumulative and complex knowledge based on science, developed
through research, inventions, experiences, and interactions with the natural
environment.
 Emerges from within the essence of being, manifesting as pure and clear knowledge.
• Examples: Commonly observed phenomena, such as clouds bringing rain and burning
fuel providing energy, are forms of universal knowledge.

7. Characteristics of Universal Knowledge
• It is related to knowledge and thought;
• It changes behavior among human beings;
• It grows with time;
• It is a collection of facts and phenomena; and
• It helps to understand the originality of existence

9. References
•Knowledge and Curriculum.(2019). Mangalore
University. https://www.mangaloreuniversity.ac.in/site
s/default/files/2019/Course%20-%209%20Knowledge
%20%26%20Curriculum%20(English
%20Version).pdf
https://prakasheducationblog.wordpress.com/2021/02/0
3/universal-and-local-facets-of-knowledge/

10. Thank You