Author: Goutami Mondal
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/PP/020300041
Abstract: India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 represents a landmark reform aimed at transforming the country’s education system to meet the demands of the twenty-first century. Replacing the long-standing National Policy on Education of 1986, NEP 2020 envisions an inclusive, equitable, and holistic framework that emphasizes quality, access, and lifelong learning. This article critically examines the vision and implementation of NEP 2020, focusing on its philosophical foundations, structural reforms, and policy objectives across school and higher education. It analyses key provisions such as multidisciplinary education, curricular flexibility, competency-based learning, teacher empowerment, digital integration, and the promotion of research and innovation. While the policy aspires to democratize education and align India’s system with global standards, the article highlights significant challenges in implementation, including federal coordination, financing constraints, digital divides, teacher preparedness, and regional disparities. Special attention is given to issues of social justice, inclusion of marginalized communities, and the balance between centralization and institutional autonomy. By adopting a critical and analytical approach, the article argues that NEP 2020 holds transformative potential, but its success depends largely on effective governance, sustained public investment, and context-sensitive execution. The study concludes that bridging the gap between policy vision and ground-level realities is crucial for realizing the objectives of NEP 2020 and strengthening India’s educational ecosystem.
Keywords: NEP 2020, Education Reforms, Higher Education, School Education, Challenges.
Page No: 319-326