Contemporary development discourse, dominated by economic growth metrics, faces criticism for neglecting equity, ecology, and meaning. This paper argues that the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), particularly its philosophical traditions, offers an ethical foundation for development rooted in dharma, interdependence, and holistic well-being. Drawing from Astika and Nastika schools, it analyses six principles—dharma, purushartha, loksamgraha, ahimsa-aparigraha, rta-yajna, and sarvodaya-antyodaya—as