The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 — the country’s third such policy since Independence —has completed five years.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• NEP 2020, India’s first comprehensive education policy in the 21st century and third NEP since Independence, aims to transform India into a knowledge society and global knowledge superpower.
• The policy emphasizes the holistic development of students, blending traditional values with modern education demands.
• It was proposed by a committee headed under Dr. K Kasturirangan.

Key Objectives of NEP 2020

• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): Target to increase GER from 26.3% (2018) to 50% by 2035.
  • Focus on enhancing both quantity and quality of education.
• Curricular and Pedagogical Reforms: Flexible, multidisciplinary education replacing traditional silos.
  • Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP) and Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) introduced.
• Research and Innovation: National Research Foundation (NRF) to foster cross-disciplinary research.
  • Research Funding Targets: ₹50,000 crore (2023-28).
• Internationalisation: Attracting global universities to set up campuses in India.
  • Collaboration to improve global research standing.
• Teacher Capacity Building: Teacher training programs to enhance quality of teaching.

Reforms and Achievements of NEP 2020

School Education Reforms

• Curriculum Overhaul:
  • The 5+3+3+4 structure replaced the previous 10+2 system. 
  • This includes foundational education (pre-primary to class 2), preparatory (classes 3–5), middle (6–8), and secondary (9–12). 
  • The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) was released in 2023.
• Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN):
  • The NIPUN Bharat Mission was launched in July 2021 with the goal to achieve FLN by 2026–27. This initiative has already benefited over 4.2 crore Grade 1 students across 8.9 lakh schools.
  • Vidya Pravesh, a 12-week play-based school readiness program, has benefitted 4.2 crore Grade 1 students.
  • Balvatikas (preschools) have enrolled over 1.1 crore children, with 496 model centers functioning in Kendriya Vidyalayas.
  • Jadui Pitara, launched as a collection of play-based learning materials, is aimed at children aged 3–6 to promote experiential learning.
  • The ASER 2024 report notes that 23.4% of Class III students can read Grade II text (up from 16.3% in 2022), with visible gains in arithmetic skills.
• Digital Learning Initiatives:
  • SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-learning for Young Aspiring Minds), India’s national MOOCs platform (Massive Open Online Course), has over 5.15 crore enrolments, providing 16,530+ courses.
  • DIKSHA, the digital infrastructure for school education, supports QR-coded textbooks, self-paced learning, and teacher training. It has 2,778 FLN content pieces available, with e-Jaadui Pitara being launched in 2024.
  • Rashtriya Vidya Samiksha Kendra (RVSK) tracks real-time data on school education, supporting evidence-based decision-making.
• Inclusive Education:
  • Indian Sign Language (ISL) has been introduced as a subject at the secondary level, with 1,000+ ISL videos and talking books created for 46 subjects.
  • The PRASHAST app, launched for disability screening, is in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

Higher Education Reforms

• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) Target:
  • NEP 2020 targets a GER of 50% by 2035. There has been a 13.8% growth in the number of higher education institutions from 51,534 in 2014-15 to 58,643 in 2021-22, and a 18.2% increase in the number of colleges.
  • Enrolments grew by 20%, from 4.14 crores (2020-21) to 4.95 crores (2024-25).
• Multidisciplinary Education & Research Universities (MERUs):
  • The PM-USHA scheme has provided ₹100 crore to 35 universities to support reforms related to research, digital infrastructure, and global linkages, which will help realize the vision of MERUs.
  • Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities are designed to offer a wide range of interdisciplinary courses and promote a flexible, learner-centric model.
• Academic Flexibility:
  • Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) has onboarded 2,469 institutions, issuing over 32 crore IDs, facilitating credit portability for students. 
    • 153 universities have implemented multiple entry and exit options, benefiting 31,156 UG and 5,583 PG students.
  • The Multiple Entry and Exit (MEME) framework allows students to pause and resume their education as per their needs, which will support lifetime learning.
  • Biannual admissions have been implemented by 97 Centrally Funded Institutions (CFIs).
• Internationalisation:
  • Foreign universities, such as the University of Southampton, have established campuses in India. 
  • 116 HEIs now offer online programs, benefiting over 19 lakh students.

Vocational Education and Skilling

• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): 1000 Skill Hubs have been created, with 1 lakh candidates enrolled in vocational courses. 
  • Vocational education is now integrated into the school curriculum from Grade 6 onwards.
• Female Skilling: Skill training for girls has improved. 
  • In 2023, 80,000 girls in Uttar Pradesh are receiving financial and digital literacy training through the ‘Passport to Earning’ program.

Teacher Empowerment

• NISHTHA Training Program: Over 14 lakh teachers have been trained under the NISHTHA teacher training program focusing on ECCE and FLN.
• The National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) provides clear criteria for teacher recruitment, training, and career progression.
• Curriculum and Pedagogy: The introduction of the National Credit Framework (NCrF) allows students to earn credits through academic, vocational, and experiential learning, supporting lifelong learning and mobility.
• Teacher Development: Merit-based scholarships and technology forecasting are used to ensure that teacher needs are met, promoting pedagogical autonomy.

Equity and Inclusion Initiatives

• Support for Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs):
  • Samagra Shiksha: 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2030.
    • Significant improvement in school retention rates, achieving 96.57% GER in upper primary education.
  • Vidyanjali, a digital platform, has facilitated over 30,000 asset contributions and 34,000+ activity-based engagements, positively impacting 1.7 crore students.
• Inclusive Hostels and Residential Schools:
  • Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) now host 7.58 lakh girls, with 1,137 Netaji Subhash Avasiya Vidyalayas providing support for marginalized learners.

Technology Integration

• Leverage technology for learning and monitoring through platforms like the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), Vidya Samiksha Kendra, and the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF).
  • NDEAR and Vidya Samiksha Kendra provide real-time educational data.
  • 200 educational channels and ICT-enabled smart classrooms have been introduced under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

Criticism of NEP 2020

• Centralization vs. State Autonomy:
  • Centralized control: The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) and the three-language formula have led to tensions with states like Tamil Nadu, which opposes the imposition of Hindi.
  • Curriculum design: Critics argue that the NCF process was too centralized, with states feeling sidelined in curriculum decisions.
  • States’ Opposition: States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have refused to fully adopt NEP provisions such as the four-year UG degree structure and PM-SHRI schools, citing the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
  • Uniformity vs. Diversity: NEP’s vision of uniformity in curriculum and pedagogy clashes with the country’s regional diversity, particularly concerning the three-language policy. 
• Implementation Barriers:
  • Teacher shortages: Despite the emphasis on teacher training, the National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) has been slow to roll out.
  • Digital divide: Only 72% of schools have internet access, limiting the reach of digital platforms like SWAYAM and DIKSHA.
  • Slow adoption of multidisciplinary education, as many colleges still lack the faculty and infrastructure to implement reforms.
• Equity Concerns:
  • Migrant children: There is no provision for interstate credit transfer or mobile classrooms, leaving children of migrant workers at risk of dropping out.
  • De-notified tribes: 0.8% of youth from De-notified Tribes ever reach higher education, highlighting systemic neglect of marginalized communities.
  • Children with Disabilities (CwDs): Although the NEP highlights the importance of inclusive education for children with disabilities, there are still gaps in infrastructure, such as the availability of assistive devices, accessible classrooms, and trained educators.
• Vocational Education and Skilling:
  • Gender-stereotyped training: Vocational courses for girls are often limited to traditional fields like sewing and beauty salons, restricting career growth.
  • Lack of infrastructure for vocational education, particularly in non-traditional fields like electronics and IT, remains a challenge.
• Assessment and Board Exams: Competency-based assessments are being introduced slowly, and high-stakes exams still dominate the education system, particularly in board exams.
  • Holistic report cards have not been fully implemented across all school boards.
• Funding Challenges:
  • Underfunding: Education spending remains at 3% of GDP, well below the NEP’s target of 6%.
  • Underutilization of funds: 15% of Samagra Shiksha funds remained unused in recent years, limiting the impact of government initiatives.
• Bureaucratic Delays: Reforms like the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) and National Research Foundation (NRF) have faced delays due to bureaucratic hurdles.

Regulatory Reforms under NEP 2020

• Higher Education Commission of India (HECI): NEP 2020 proposes the creation of a single, overarching regulator called the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). 
  • It will replace the existing multiple regulatory agencies like the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and others in a bid to simplify and streamline the regulatory framework for higher education.
  • HECI’s functions will include accreditation, funding, and quality assurance, focusing on autonomy and institutional self-regulation.
  • HECI is expected to oversee institutional quality and promote academic freedom for universities and colleges, supporting flexible and multidisciplinary education.
• Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs): NEP 2020 envisions the establishment of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs). 
  • These universities are designed to promote a multidisciplinary approach to education and research, moving away from rigid discipline-based structures.
  • MERUs will focus on creating an environment conducive to interdisciplinary learning, research collaboration, and global integration. This will include both undergraduate and postgraduate education in diverse fields.
  • NEP also aims to promote research-driven institutions and ensure that MERUs can collaborate effectively with global universities.
• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is a key reform in higher education, designed to facilitate credit transfer across institutions and promote academic mobility.
  • The ABC will maintain a digital repository for credits earned by students, ensuring their portability across institutions.
  • This system will enable students to exit and re-enter their courses or change institutions, offering flexibility for lifelong learning.
• National Accreditation Council (NAC): The NEP proposes the creation of a National Accreditation Council (NAC) to accredit higher education institutions, replacing the existing National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). 
  • It will ensure quality assurance, enhanced institutional autonomy, and international standards for educational institutions.
• National Research Foundation (NRF): It is one of the cornerstone reforms under NEP 2020, aimed at promoting and funding research and innovation in higher education.
  • NRF will support interdisciplinary research and provide competitive grants to universities and research institutions. 
  • It will fund research across diverse sectors and ensure that India’s global standing in research and innovation rises.
• National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF): NHEQF will standardize and define the qualifications at various levels of higher education, from undergraduate to doctoral programs.
  • This framework will ensure equivalence of qualifications at the national and international levels, making it easier for students to move across institutions and countries. 
  • It will also help in promoting interdisciplinary education.
• Digital Education and Online Learning Regulation
  • The UGC (Open & Distance Learning and Online Programmes) Regulations have been amended to allow universities to offer online degree programs in compliance with strict quality guidelines. 
  • The policy envisions the establishment of a National Digital University to further expand the online education ecosystem in India.
• National Credit Framework (NCrF): NCrF, introduced under NEP 2020, aims to standardize and unify the credit system across school, vocational training, and higher education.
  • NCrF will allow for the transfer of credits across multiple learning pathways, including academic, vocational, and work-based learning, supporting lifelong learning and mobility.
• Encouraging Private Sector Participation: The NEP 2020 encourages private sector participation in higher education, with a focus on public-private partnerships (PPP) to improve infrastructure, research output, and the overall quality of education.

Way Forward

• Strengthen State-Centre Coordination: Ensure inclusive consultations with states, allowing regional adaptations to align with local needs.
  • Maintain a balance between central policies and state autonomy in implementation.
• Infrastructure Development: Expand digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas to bridge the digital divide.
  • Improve physical facilities in schools, focusing on basic amenities like toilets and electricity.
• Teacher Training and Development: Focus on continuous professional development (CPD) for teachers, particularly in rural areas.
  • Incentivize inclusive education training for teachers to cater to special needs.
• Expanding Vocational Education: Integrate non-traditional skills (e.g., IT, renewable energy) into vocational training for both genders.
  • Strengthen industry partnerships for better job placement opportunities.
• Funding and Resource Allocation: Increase the education budget to meet the 6% GDP target and ensure better fund utilization.
  • Implement monitoring systems to track fund usage effectively.
• Promote Research and Innovation: Establish the National Research Foundation (NRF) and research parks to foster innovation.
  • Encourage industry-academic collaborations for real-world research applications.
• Enhance Regulatory Reforms: Fast-track the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) to streamline governance in higher education.
  • Strengthen the accreditation system to ensure quality and transparency.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Increase private sector participation in education, especially in infrastructure and vocational training.
  • Promote collaboration with foreign universities to enhance global integration.

Conclusion

NEP 2020 has ushered in transformative reforms, enhancing enrollment, inclusivity, and flexibility in India’s education system. However, challenges like state resistance, digital divides, and funding shortfalls require robust Centre-State coordination, increased investment, and targeted equity measures to realize its vision by 2035.

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