National Education Policy 2020

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) is a landmark educational reform in India, to transform the existing system and make it more equitable, flexible, and relevant to the 21st century. It targets 100% literacy, 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in preschool to secondary level by 2030 and 50% GER in higher education by 2035. It encourages the use of mother tongue and local languages in early grades. Also aims to make education more engaging and accessible with use of technology. It targets holistic development by ensuring moral and cultural education along with vocational and professional education as well. There is special emphasis on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) like women and disabled people.

NEP aims to tackle main issues which plague the Indian education system. Unequal access remains a major concern, with rural and underprivileged communities facing the brunt of low literacy and high dropout rates. Outdated curricula, failing to keep pace with modern advancements, hinders students' preparation for the future workforce. Inadequate funding further exacerbates the problem, leaving schools and colleges struggling with basic facilities. This is manifested in low learning outcomes, high drop out rates and unskilled youth entering the workforce.

National Education Policy launched in 2020 proposed reforming education in school, higher education (i.e. University) and technical level. It introduced significant changes, even reforming the education system and framework.

• Achieving 100% youth and adult literacy.
• To increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER)
  • 100% in preschool to secondary level by 2030
  • 26.3% (2018) to 50% by 2035 in higher and technical education.

• Inclusive:
  • Establishing Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in aspirational districts.
  • Scholarships for Girls, Disabled people and Socially & Educationally Disadvantaged.
  • Online education, and Open Distance Learning (ODL);
  • The medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language/mother tongue/local language/regional language.
  • Gender Inclusion fund to encourage activities.
  • Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups;
• Universal Access: Through infrastructure, safe conveyance and hostel facilities.
  • Early childhood education from 3-6 years for strong cognitive development.
  • National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
  • Establishment of Academic Bank of Credit: allowing students to save credits and restart from where they left off for graduating.
  • School Consolidation: address challenges of small schools by forming clusters or innovative groupings.
• Flexible curriculum: Introduction of a 5+3+3+4 flexible curricular structure with multiple entry and exit points, allowing students to choose subjects and customize their learning journeys.
  • Reduced Curriculum Load: prioritize core essentials, encourage discussion and analysis.
• Holistic Multidisciplinary Education: Integration of vocational, moral, cultural education at all levels for comprehensive development.
  • National Mission for Mentoring
• Public Investment: Targeting spending on Education sector to reach 6% of GDP by both the Central government and all State Governments.
• Central Advisory Board of Education to ensure coordination between stakeholders since education is a concurrent subject collaborative implementation in required.
• State Government Responsibility: To monitor and continually improve the public education system.
  • setting up of large, multidisciplinary universities and colleges, with at least one in or near every district
  • Establishing State School Standards Authority (SSSA) for accreditation of all institutes.
• Autonomy: through effective self regulation, transparent public disclosure and faculty autonomy.
• Research
  • Establishment of National Research Foundation
  • Setting up of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities(MERUs)
• "Light but Tight" regulation:
  • Higher Education Commission of India (HECI): Governance of HEIs by a single regulator
  • General Education Council: For standard setting
  • Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding
  • National Accreditation Council (NAC);
  • National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC);
• Technology integration: National Educational Technology Forum (NETF): to exchange ideas on the use of technology to boost learning, assessment, planning, administration.
• Reforming Assessment:
  • 2 board exams, one main and another for opportunity to improve.
  • National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development);
  • National Testing Agency for Common Entrance Test to HEIs.
• Teachers:
  • Transparent merit-based recruitment.
  • Bachelor of Education Qualification- 4 year integrated course, by each state
• Promoting Professional Education:
  • Integrating with higher education
  • Independent Universities: for health sciences, agriculture, legal etc.
• Tackle Commercialization of Education
• Internationalisation: International universities to setup campus in India.

• PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) : funds to improve school infrastructure
• National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat);
• National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR): PM e-VIDYA for digital/online/on-air education; DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) as One Nation One Digital Platform, Smarter Automation Engine for Universities (SAMARTH)
• National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF FS): for children between the age group of 3 to 8 years, National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF), National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)
• NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement): Integrated Teacher Training Programme for all stages of school education
• IKS- Indian Knowledge System setup for education.
• National Credit Framework has been developed to allow students to collect credits during various learning assignments.

The National Education Policy 2020, furthers the Sustainable Development Goals 4 of inclusive, equitable & quality education for all. NEP promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all by focusing on 100% adult literacy and developing cognitive skills.

The NEP 2020 has 5 main pillars Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability. It will equip our youth to meet the diverse national and global challenges of the present and the future. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the integration of technology into education, with initiatives like online learning platforms and digital teacher training gaining momentum.

The NEP 2020 represents a roadmap, not a destination. Its success hinges on a collaborative effort, with the government, educators, parents, and communities working together to overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Continuous evaluation, data-driven decision-making, and adaptability will be crucial. With in built features to ensure autonomy, all this is possible and must be utilised to course correct for a bright future.