New Delhi: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, approved on July 29, 2020, marked a historic milestone as India’s first education policy in 34 years. Now, as it completes five years, the policy has catalyzed significant reforms across school and higher education, aiming to transform India into a global knowledge hub. Rooted in Indian ethos, NEP 2020 emphasizes access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability, aligning education with 21st-century needs while fostering economic growth, social equity, and nation-building.
Key Achievements of NEP 2020
Curriculum and Structural Reforms
NEP 2020 introduced a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, replacing the traditional 10+2 system. This framework divides school education into foundational (pre-primary to Class 2), preparatory (Classes 3-5), middle (Classes 6-8), and secondary (Classes 9-12). The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 outlines learning outcomes and competencies for each stage, promoting experiential and competency-based learning. NCERT has rolled out new textbooks for Classes 1-8, integrating subjects like history, geography, political science, and economics into a single social science book. Textbooks for Classes 9-12 are expected soon, further aligning with NEP’s vision.
Foundational Skills and Early Childhood Education
The policy prioritizes foundational literacy and numeracy through initiatives like NIPUN Bharat and Vidya Pravesh, impacting over 4.2 crore students across 8.9 lakh schools. NIPUN Bharat, launched in 2021, aims to ensure every child can read and perform basic math by Class 3. Recent surveys indicate average scores of 64% for language and 60% for math, showing progress but highlighting the need for further improvement. For early childhood education, NCERT’s Jaadui Pitara learning kits and a national ECCE curriculum by the Women and Child Development Ministry are in use. States like Delhi, Karnataka, and Kerala have enforced a minimum age of six for Class 1, reducing enrolments to 1.87 crore in 2023-24 from 2.16 crore, with 73% of enrolled students having preschool exposure.
Inclusivity and Equity
NEP 2020 emphasizes inclusivity, particularly for Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs). Over 1.15 lakh SEDG students and 7.58 lakh girls are enrolled in residential schools. The PRASHAST App supports disability screening, while guidelines for Divyangjans focus on inclusive pedagogical practices, including learning support, assistive devices, curriculum design, and personalized counseling. The PM Vidya Lakshmi Scheme, launched in November 2024, offers collateral-free loans up to ₹7.5 lakh with a 75% credit guarantee, benefiting 22 lakh students annually. With a ₹3,600 crore budget from 2024–25 to 2030–31, it has sanctioned ₹2,358 crore in loans for 8,379 students across 860 premier institutions, supported by a digital platform with e-vouchers and CBDC wallets.
Teacher Training and Technology Integration
Over 4 lakh teachers have been trained under the NISHTHA program, enhancing pedagogical skills. Technology adoption has surged, with 72% of schools now internet-enabled. Initiatives like Vidyanjali, DIKSHA, PM e-VIDYA, and AI-powered tools like e-Jaadui Pitara, Katha Sakhi, and Teacher Tara are transforming classrooms. The TARA App and My Career Advisor platform further support digital learning and career guidance. Indian Sign Language is now a subject, with over 1,000 ISL videos and talking books developed.
Higher Education Reforms
NEP 2020 targets a 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education by 2035, up from 26.3% in 2018. The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) enables credit accumulation and transfer, with 153 universities offering multiple entry options for 31,156 UG and 5,583 PG students, and 74 universities providing exit pathways for 25,595 UG and 2,494 PG students. The National Credit Framework (NCrF), launched in April 2023, supports lifelong learning across academic, vocational, and experiential domains. The National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF), introduced in May 2023, standardizes qualifications from undergraduate to doctoral levels, enhancing global mobility. The Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programs (CCFUP) promotes interdisciplinary learning with multiple exit options (certificate after 1 year, diploma after 2 years, or a 3/4-year degree).
Internationalization and Global Presence
NEP 2020 fosters global academic collaboration. Indian institutions like IIT Madras (Zanzibar), IIT Delhi (Abu Dhabi), and IIM Ahmedabad (Dubai) have established international campuses. Foreign universities, including Deakin and Wollongong (GIFT City, Gujarat) and Southampton (Gurugram), have set up in India, with six more from the UK, Australia, USA, and Italy receiving Letters of Intent. The Study in India program has enrolled 47,602 international students from 136+ countries, supported by a 2023 portal offering 8,000+ programs. The UGC’s 2022 regulations enable twinning, joint, and dual degree programs with 103 Indian HEIs collaborating with foreign institutions. SPARC has sanctioned 799 joint research projects worth ₹515.99 crore, yielding 51 patents.
Research and Innovation
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), established under a 2023 Act, drives research with a ₹50,000 crore hybrid funding model, supporting 2,500 HEIs and 300 universities. Ph.D. enrolment doubled to 2.34 lakh by 2022–23, with female enrolment up 135.6%. India ranks third globally in research publications, with a 142% output increase since 2015. Patent filings reached 92,168 in 2023–24, with HEIs contributing 25%. The KAPILA program has advanced IP literacy, filing 10,800 patents. The NIRF 2.0 rankings now include research and innovation metrics, aligning with NEP priorities.
Institutional and Regulatory Reforms
The proposed Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) aims to replace multiple regulators with a “light but tight” framework, though its formation is delayed. Graded autonomy, based on NAAC accreditation and NIRF rankings, allows high-performing institutions to launch programs and collaborations independently. PM-USHA has allocated ₹100 crore to each of 35 universities to enhance digital infrastructure, autonomy, and global linkages. Since 2014, 42 new central institutions, including 8 Central Universities, 7 IITs, and 8 IIMs, have been established, with Sindhu Central University in Ladakh launching four postgraduate programs. Three Centers of Excellence in AI (health, sustainable cities, agriculture) and one in education (₹500 crore) further bolster research.
Challenges in Implementation
Centre-State Policy Divide
Education’s placement on the Concurrent List has led to tensions. States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have resisted signing MoUs for PM-SHRI schools, which require full NEP adoption. Tamil Nadu opposes the three-language formula, viewing it as an imposition of Hindi, and both Tamil Nadu and Kerala reject the four-year UG structure. The Centre has withheld Samagra Shiksha funds from these states, prompting Tamil Nadu to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court. Karnataka, after briefly adopting and scrapping the four-year UG model, is developing its own state education policy.
Three-Language Formula
The NEP’s three-language formula, requiring at least two Indian languages, faces resistance, particularly in Tamil Nadu, which follows a Tamil-English model. Implementation challenges persist as states prioritize regional linguistic identities.
Institutional Delays
The National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, expected in 2021, remains unreleased. The four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) faces pushback from colleges offering programs like B.El.Ed. The HECI Bill, proposed to replace the UGC, is still in drafting, delaying unified regulation. The Finance Ministry’s 2021 rejection of breakfast inclusion in midday meal schemes also highlights funding constraints.
Infrastructure and Faculty Gaps
Many colleges lack the faculty and infrastructure to implement four-year UG degrees. Board exam reforms, such as biannual CBSE Class 10 exams starting in 2026 and holistic progress cards by PARAKH, are progressing slowly, with some boards yet to adopt these changes.
Future Roadmap and Recent Developments
At the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2025, held on July 29, 2025, in New Delhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched initiatives worth over ₹4,000 crore, including new Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalaya campuses, tribal student hostels, and facilities across IITs, NITs, and central universities. The event introduced digital tools like the TARA App for reading fluency, the My Career Advisor platform, and AI-based ViBe solutions. A national rating system for green and hygienic schools and a multilingual testing portal were also unveiled. Foreign universities like Western Sydney, Victoria, La Trobe, and Bristol announced plans to open campuses in India, offering programs in emerging fields.
Digital and Online Learning
The SWAYAM platform has seen 5.15 crore enrolments across 16,530+ courses, with 388 universities allowing up to 40% credit transfers. SWAYAM Plus, launched in February 2024, offers industry-aligned courses in AI, Data Analytics, and Healthcare. The National Digital Library (NDLI) hosts 8 crore+ resources, while Virtual Labs provide 900+ labs and 1,200+ experiments. AICTE’s Anuvadini supports translations in 22 languages, and e-KUMBH offers engineering books in Indian languages. The APAAR ID, seeded for 2.36 crore students, enables seamless credit transfers and DigiLocker integration. NEAT lists 393 EdTech firms, with 25% free coupons for EWS students, benefiting 1.15 lakh learners.
Bhartiya Bhasha and Indian Knowledge Systems
NEP 2020 promotes Indian languages through the Anuvadini App, e-KUMBH, and ASMITA, which aims to produce 22,000 books in 22 languages. The CSTT has digitized 16 lakh scientific terms, and 41 engineering institutes offer education in 12 regional languages. CUET, JEE (Mains), and NEET (UG) are conducted in 12 Indian languages, enhancing access. The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) initiative has launched 38 interdisciplinary courses and 88 research projects, training 1,000 faculty with a goal of 10,000 more.
Conclusion
Five years since its launch, NEP 2020 has laid a robust foundation for a learner-centric, inclusive, and future-ready education system. From curriculum reforms and digital integration to global outreach and research innovation, the policy is reshaping India’s academic landscape. However, challenges like Centre-state disputes, delayed reforms, and infrastructure gaps require concerted efforts. As India enters the second phase of NEP implementation, initiatives like ABSS 2025 and investments exceeding ₹4,000 crore signal a renewed commitment to making education accessible, equitable, and globally competitive, paving the way for Viksit Bharat @2047.
FAQs
1. What is the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and what is its main vision?
The NEP 2020, approved on July 29, 2020, is India’s first education policy in 34 years, aiming to transform the education system to align with 21st-century needs while rooted in Indian ethos. Its vision is to create a holistic, learner-centric, multidisciplinary education system that promotes access Roger access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability, fostering economic growth, social equity, and nation-building.
2. What are the key reforms introduced by NEP 2020 for school education?
NEP 2020 introduces a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure (foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary stages), replacing the 10+2 system. It emphasizes experiential and competency-based learning through the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, foundational literacy via NIPUN Bharat, and early childhood education with tools like Jaadui Pitara. It also promotes inclusivity, mother-tongue instruction, and holistic assessment through PARAKH.
3. How does NEP 2020 enhance access and inclusivity in higher education?
NEP 2020 targets a 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2035 through initiatives like the PM Vidya Lakshmi Scheme, offering collateral-free loans up to ₹7.5 lakh for 22 lakh students annually. It supports disadvantaged groups with the PRASHAST App for disability screening, guidelines for Divyangjans, and promotes multidisciplinary education via the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), multiple entry/exit options, and online learning platforms like SWAYAM.
4. What are the challenges faced in implementing NEP 2020?
Implementation challenges include Centre-state disputes, with states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal resisting policies like the three-language formula and PM-SHRI schools. Other hurdles include delays in forming the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), the National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, and infrastructure and faculty shortages for four-year UG programs.
5. How is NEP 2020 promoting research and global integration?
NEP 2020 fosters research through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) with ₹50,000 crore funding, doubling Ph.D. enrolment to 2.34 lakh by 2022–23. It supports global integration via international campuses of IITs and IIMs in Zanzibar, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, and foreign universities like Deakin and Southampton in India. Programs like SPARC and the Study in India initiative enhance global academic collaboration.
