Union Education Minister  inaugurated a two-day Vice-Chancellors’ Conference at Kevadia, Gujarat.

• It is  aimed at reviewing the progress of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aligning Central Universities with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Recent Trends in Higher Education

• Total enrolment has risen to 4.46 crore, marking a 30% increase since 2014–15.
• Female enrolment grew by 38%, and for the first time, the female Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) exceeded that of males.
• Ph.D. enrolment nearly doubled, with female Ph.D. scholars increasing by 136%.
• GER among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes rose by 8 and 10 percentage points, respectively—indicating improved inclusivity.

Panch Sankalpa: Roadmap for Implementation

The Union Minister introduced the “Panch Sankalpa”—five transformative goals central to NEP 2020:

• Next-Gen Emerging Education
• Multidisciplinary Education
• Innovative Education
• Holistic Education
• Bharatiya Education

Strategic Action Points

• Raise GER to 50% by 2035: Institutions must focus on digital access, faculty training, and curriculum reform.
• Prepare university-level NEP strategy papers, addressing:
  • Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)
  • Technology integration
  • Skilling and employability initiatives
  • Localised implementation through university-hosted NEP events
• Celebrate Academic Triveni Sangamam:
  • Celebrate the past – India’s cultural and knowledge heritage
  • Calibrate the present – Correct contemporary narratives
  • Create the future – Position India as a global education leader

About National Education Policy 2020

• The NEP 2020, which replaced the 1986 National Policy on Education, was officially introduced in 2020 and implemented starting from the 2023–2024 academic year. 
• It places strong emphasis on nurturing the creative and intellectual potential of every individual.
• The policy rests on the idea that education must build foundational literacy and numeracy, while also fostering higher-order thinking skills like critical thinking and problem-solving, along with social, ethical, and emotional capacities.

Key Features of NEP 2020

• Holistic and Multidisciplinary Learning: The NEP encourages an integrated approach, blending arts, sciences, and humanities. It moves away from rigid subject streams, allowing students to explore diverse interests and develop a well-rounded personality.
• Structural Shift in School Education: The traditional 10+2 structure has been replaced by the 5+3+3+4 model, bringing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) into the formal education system.
• Higher Education Restructuring: NEP envisions a flexible, multidisciplinary higher education system, encouraging research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration.
  • It also enables foreign universities to set up campuses in India, fostering global partnerships.
• Digital and E-Learning Promotion: The policy promotes technology-enabled education to ensure wider access and bridge digital divides. Use of online platforms and digital tools is a key part of this transformation.

Additional Reading: National Education Policy

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