Published on 24 Jan 2025
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, based on the recommendations made by the Dr Kasturirangan Committee, aims to transform India into a global knowledge superpower by a multidisciplinary education system that brings out the unique capabilities of each student. The policy is based on the 5 foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability in education.
Provisions and Initiatives under NEP 2020
Universal access to school education: It targets 100% gross enrolment ratio in pre-school to secondary level by 2030.
Example: Disabled-friendly classrooms, Clean and Unlocked separate functioning toilets for girls etc to help make schools accessible to the vulnerable sections.
Early Childhood Care and Education: Brings the hitherto uncovered age group of 3-6 years under the school curriculum thereby covering the crucial stages of development of the mental faculties of the child.
Example: Vidya Pravesh - an interim 3-month play-based ‘school preparation module to ensure that all children are school-ready.
School curricula reforms: No rigid separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extracurricular activities.
Example: Vocational education will start in schools from the 6th grade and include internships
Teacher Training: To ensure motivated, energized and capable teaching faculty through transparent recruitment and continuous evaluation and training.
Example: A comprehensive National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, will be formulated by the NCTE in consultation with NCERT.
Multilingualism: Emphasizes mother tongue/regional language as the medium of instruction at least till Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond.
Example: NEP recommends setting up an Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI), National Institute (or Institutes) for Pali, Persian, and Prakrit, strengthening of Sanskrit and all language departments in HEIs
School Governance Framework: The States/UTs will set up an independent State School Standards Authority (SSSA) and School Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF).
Flexible and Multidisciplinary Education: A broad-based, holistic undergraduate education with flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, and multiple entry and exit points.
Example: An Academic Bank of Credit is to be established for digitally storing academic credits earned from different Higher Education Institutions
Challenges in Implementation of NEP 2020
Difficulty Teaching in the mother tongue: Due to India’s linguistic diversity, with 22 official languages and numerous dialects, the availability of curriculum materials in mother tongue can be challenging.
Example: Lack of availability of technical terms and textbooks in Santhali language
Digital divide: The NEP 2020's emphasis on digitization and e-learning may not take into account the digital divide in India, making access to education difficult for the marginalized.
Example: In India, only 30% students have access to smartphones, and even fewer accessing computers.
Limited resources: Setting a target of spending close to 6% of GDP on education is difficult, considering India’s low tax-to-GDP ratio and India’s other social sector spending.
Example: The allocation for education in 2023-24 has been 1.12 lakh crore, which is less than 3% of India’s GDP.
Language barrier: A core goal of education is social and economic mobility, and the language of mobility in India is English. So, emphasis on regional languages might not be attractive.
Example: Learning English opens up education and job opportunities around the world and hence students might not opt for other languages.
Opposition from States: Implementation success largely depends on how the state governments co-opt the provisions of NEP to create a synergy.
Example: States like Tamil Nadu have already criticized the language policy in NEP.
Measures Required for Effective Implementation of NEP 2020
Promotion of Digital Learning: To accelerate student enrolment into higher education and make quality education accessible to all through a range of measures, including online education and Open Distance Learning (ODL)
Example: Enabling credit transfers from SWAYAM portal, Adoption of SAMARTH by HEIs for digital administration, etc
Industry-Institute Collaboration: Encourage industry readiness and improved employability of students through active collaborations between institutions and industries.
Example: Internship/Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme, MoUs signed for Industry – Institute Linkage, and Establishment of Research and Development Cell, alignment of curriculum with industry.
Incorporate Indian Knowledge Systems: HEIs should take into account the local and global needs of the country and with a respect for and deference to its rich diversity and culture.
Example: Development of Digital Content and content in Indian Languages, conducting exams in Indian languages and embedding IKS in the curriculum.
Promotion as a Global Study Destination: By providing premium education at affordable costs. Research collaboration, student exchanges, and programs between Indian institutions and global institutions will develop a culture of research and innovation in Indian HEIs to achieve global standards of quality.
Cooperative Federalism: Since education is a concurrent subject, the Centre must accommodate policies for incorporating the views of the state during formulation and implementation phase.
Example: Scaling up successful projects in States like the Vidya Sameeksha of Gujarat to the National level.
Thus, National Education Policy offers an approach for the holistic development of India’s education sector, which could aid India to provide inclusive and equitable education under SDG 4.
Social Justice
National Policy on Education 2020
Dr Kasturirangan Committee
SWAYAM portal
digital learning
Academic Bank of Credit
State School Standards Authority
School Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework
National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Edu
General Studies Paper 2
Social Justice
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