Date: 2026
Conference/Publication: Presentation at NAoP Conference2026
Presenters/Authors: Ms. Kasturi Hapse, Dr. Sameena Manasawala
Abstract
The holistic development of students is essential to help them realize their full-potential. In the educational setting, it is essential to focus on all aspects of the student’s growth which have been envisioned in the NCF (2023) through the Panchakosh model. This model stated in the Taittarya Upanishad gives a culturally relevant framework to understand the student’s holistic wellbeing and development (Chapagain, 2025; Desai & Manasawala, 2023). Self-assessment is one of the ways that helps students to improve their level of self-awareness as well as to track their development and well-being (Aguilar & Aguilar, 2017; Yan et al., 2023). The Panchakosh Mulyankan is one such self-assessment tool developed and standardized by the authors for preadolescents.
Panchakosh Mulyankan encompasses the five interconnected sheaths stated in the model, namely Annamaya (physical), Pranamaya (vital), Manomaya (emotional), Vijnanamaya (intellectual) and Anandamaya (spiritual). The authors identified key components for these five sheaths or dimensions. Each of these components were further assessed through three parameters- Iccha Shakti (willpower), Jnana Shakti (knowledge) and Kriya Shakti (action) which influence the manifestation of the students’ potential. This self-report tool was designed specifically for students aged 10-13 years. Items were generated through literature review, mapping them to the Panchakosh dimensions and expert inputs. Data was collected from 120 students (N=59 girls and N=61 boys), from three schools in Pune. Reliability and validity analyses were conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the instrument.
Panchakosh Mulyankan aims to support educators, counsellors and researchers by offering an indigenous and holistic method to evaluate student’s development, strengths, needs and wellbeing and design the required interventions.
Hapse, K., & Manasawala, S. (2026, April-May). Panchkosha Mulyankan: An assessment of holistic wellbeing [Conference presentation]. 35th Annual Convention of the National Academy of Psychology (NAOP), Reframing Psychology Beyond Neoliberal Individualism, Indian Institute of Management Shillong, India.
