The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, unveiled by the Indian government, aspires to revolutionize education in India and position the nation as a “global knowledge superpower.” The policy is the third significant overhaul of India’s education system following revisions in 1968 and 1986.
Key Features of NEP 2020
The NEP 2020 emphasizes universal access to education from pre-primary school through grade 12. It ensures quality early education for children aged 3-6 years. A new pedagogical structure, denoted as 5+3+3+4, aligns with different age groups and comprises four stages: Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary.
The policy abrogates outdated divisions between arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities, and vocational and academic streams. Aiming to foster linguistic diversity, the framework advocates multilingualism and the use of native Indian languages. Additionally, the policy plans for a new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), a unique Gender Inclusion fund, and Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups.
Major Initiatives Undertaken under NEP 2020
Multiple programs have been initiated under the NEP 2020 umbrella. The PM-SHRI scheme aims to provide high-quality education across 14500 schools nationwide. NIPUN Bharat Mission seeks to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy for every child by Grade 3 by 2026-27. The PM e-VIDYA initiative offers various platforms like DIKSHA to promote online education and digital learning. The launch of the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF FS) and Jadui Pitara encourages play-based learning for children aged 3 to 8.
Moreover, the National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) boosts capacity for teachers and school principals. The National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) forms a blueprint for digital technology-based applications in education.
Increased Investment in Education
The NEP 2020 suggests that both central and state governments allocate 6% of GDP to education. In alignment with this, the Ministry of Education received a budget of Rs. 1,12,899 crore in 2023-24, marking a significant increase from 2020-21.
Establishing International Connections
To foster global collaboration, the policy supports Indian universities in setting up campuses overseas and invites foreign institutions to operate in India. This initiative has resulted in Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for the establishment of IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi.
Education Innovation in GIFT City
NEP 2020’s innovative approach includes permitting world-class foreign universities and institutions to offer specialized courses in Gujarat’s GIFT City, aiming to cultivate high-end human resources for financial services and technology.
Other Related Initiatives
The Indian government launched the World-Class Institutions Scheme in 2017, aiming to create affordable, top-notch academic and research facilities. These institutions are designated as “Institutions of Eminence” (IoEs) to promote academic excellence. To date, 12 institutions have been identified as IoEs. Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN) and Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) aim to improve India’s academic resources and elevate research quality, respectively.
Finally, as preparation for civil service examinations, prospective candidates should be thoroughly familiar with the related provisions of the Indian Constitution that bear on education as it forms a significant part of the examination’s syllabus.
