5 Years of National Education Policy 2020: Successes & Challenges

As National Education Policy 2020 completes five years, it marks a transformative shift in India’s education landscape from AI integration & global collaborations to foundational reforms like NIPUN Bharat, quietly reshaping learning outcomes.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to make education more flexible and holistic to unlock each student’s unique potential.
It is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Five foundational pillars of NEP 2020:
1. Access
2. Equity
3. Quality
4. Affordability
5. Accountability

Objectives of NEP 2020

Focus on holistic development.
Integration of vocational education
Emphasis on technology-enabled learning
Promoting multilingualism and the right to choose languages.
Flexible and multidisciplinary curriculum.

Targets

Universalization of education from Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to Secondary Education by 2030.
Attaining Foundational Learning and Numeracy Skills through National Mission by 2025.
100% gross enrolment ratio (GER) in Pre-School to Secondary Level by 2030.
50% gross enrolment ratio (GER) in Higher Education by 2035.
Bring back two crore children to the mainstream through the open schooling system.
Teachers to be prepared for assessment reforms by 2023.
Inclusive and Equitable Education System by 2030.

Features of NEP 2020

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN): The NIPUN Bharat Mission aims to ensure every child attains basic reading and arithmetic skills by Grade 3.
School Education Reforms: Introduction of the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure replacing the 10+2 system, emphasis on experiential learning, and promotion of regional languages.
Higher Education Transformation: Establishment of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs), phasing out of MPhil, and Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).
Vocational and Skill Education: Integration of vocational courses from Grade 6 onwards, with internships and skill development.
Use of Technology: Promotion of digital learning through platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM, and establishment of National Educational Technology Forum (NETF).
Equity and Inclusion: Focus on socio-economically disadvantaged groups (SEDGs), gender inclusion funds, and special education zones.

Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2025: Key Highlights

Education Funding: Over ₹4,000 crore allocated for enhancing school infrastructure and promoting digital learning.
Recognition of Excellence: 613 PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) schools were awarded to institutionalise replicable best practices.
Academic Integration: Letters of Intent signed with four foreign universities to establish campuses in India.
- Western Sydney University (Greater Noida), Victoria University (Noida), La Trobe University (Bengaluru), and University of Bristol (Mumbai).

Major Digital & Tech Launches at ABSS 2025

TARA portal: Launched to assess reading fluency among students in Grades 3–8.
My Career Advisor app: Launched to provide AI guidance on over 1,000 career paths.
Local Language Proficiency Test Portal: Launched to assess LSRW skills in 22 Indian languages.
SHVR Rating System: Swachh Evam Harit Vidyalaya Rating (SHVR) was introduced as a 5-star system to evaluate hygiene, sanitation, and environmental sustainability standards in schools.
AI Apprenticeship Scheme: Expanded National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) to include AI-based training in key sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, education, etc.

LSRW refers to Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing—the four core language proficiency skills.

Achievements of NEP 2020

School Education & Early Childhood

New 5+3+3+4 structure and updated National Curriculum Framework rolled out; NCERT textbooks for classes 1–8 released, consolidating subjects like social sciences into unified books.
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) initiatives in progress; Jaadui Pitara kits, national ECCE curriculum, and preschool enrolment focussed through Anganwadis and Bal Vatikas.
NIPUN Bharat Mission achieved moderate success. ASER‑2024 shows ~64 % language and 60 % math proficiency—better, but short of 100 % goal.
Learning Gains: ASER 2024 showed a 7% increase in Grade 3 literacy levels since 2022.

Higher Education & Flexibility

Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) & National Credit Framework (NCrF) launched; students can now earn certificates (1 yr), diplomas (2 yrs), or degrees (4 yrs) with multiple entry-exit options.
CUET introduced in 2022 as the unified entrance exam for undergraduate admissions.
Increased GER: Gross Enrollment Ratio in higher education rose from 27.1% (2019-20) to 29.2% (2023).
Expansion of Online Education: Higher Education Institutions offering online programmes rose sharply from 42 in 2020–21 to 109 in 2024–25.
Number of HEIs offering online programs has more than doubled, from 42 in 2020-21 to 109 in 2024-25.
Global Outreach: Top international universities like Deakin & University of Wollongong opened campuses in India.

Digital & Vocational Integration

Digital Expansion: Over 4 crore students accessed DIKSHA & SWAYAM platforms.
AICTE has introduced IDEA Labs (≈400 across India), along with initiatives like Productization, KAPILA, and hackathons to embed entrepreneurship and innovation.

Persistent Challenges & Implementation Roadblocks

Mixed Implementation

Low Spending: Public education spending remains at ~2.9% of GDP, far below the 6% NEP target.
Only around 16 out of 28 states and 8 UTs have partially implemented NEP as of mid‑2025; several key states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal resist certain reforms, especially the three‑language policy and 4‑year UG structure.

Foundational Learning & Language Challenges

Learning Gaps: Only 48% of Grade 3 students achieved age-appropriate reading skills (ASER 2024).
High Dropout: Undergraduate dropout rates remain high at nearly 17% (AISHE 2023).
Rural schools face severe shortages of teacher training and bilingual textbooks; many urban parents still prefer English-medium, limiting mother-tongue instruction uptake.
- E.g. In tribal belts of Odisha and Jharkhand, teachers struggle to switch to local dialects as mandated, citing lack of bilingual textbooks and trained instructors.
Digital Deficit: Just 57.2% of schools have functional computers & 53.9% have internet access (UDISE+ 2023–24).

Higher Education Constraints

Only 36 % of HEIs have implemented multiple entry-exit options.
Academic Credit Bank was introduced, but usage remains under 12% of college students.
Industry‑academia involvement in curriculum design remains low (~19 %).
Just 22 % of HEIs have institutional autonomy; bureaucratic waterfall and faculty shortages persist.
Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), a single-window regulator for higher education, recommended under the policy—is yet to be implemented, with even the bill yet to be finalised by the government.
Majority of institutions have yet to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems into the curriculum or faculty hiring.
Professors of Practice (industry‑experts) employed in only ~14 % of HEIs.

Other Unresolved Areas

PARAKH and holistic report cards remain undeveloped or paper-based in many boards
NEP’s promise of “bagless days” and vocational exploration in middle school has barely taken off. Most schools either don’t offer these courses or club them into activity periods with no practical exposure.
NEP aims to improve equity, but it lacks specific implementation roadmaps for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, and children with disabilities. Schemes for inclusion are mentioned but not adequately backed by budgetary or administrative reforms.
The policy aims for 50% of learners to have vocational exposure by 2025, yet integration into the school curriculum is minimal. Stigma around vocational training and lack of qualified trainers persist.

Way Forward

Execution Strengthening: Strengthen cooperative federalism, build capacity among state institutions.
Extend NIPUN Bharat: Go beyond 2027 to cover Balvatika to Grade 5, institutionalise FLN diagnostics.
Address Digital Divide: Invest in rural internet, low-cost devices, & digital content in local languages.
Data-Driven Reforms: Conduct regular learning assessments and outcome-based evaluations.
Cross-Disciplinary Synergy: Among technologists, educators, social scientists, and policymakers to shape the future of learning.

NEP 2020 lays a transformative foundation for equitable, inclusive, and quality education aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education). As India advances towards “Viksit Bharat@2047,” NEP will be key to building a knowledge-driven, just, and empowered society.

Reference: The Hindu | PMFIAS: 5 Years of National Education Policy 2020

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 274

Q. The Draft People’s Education Policy 2025 critiques NEP 2020 for its structural and ideological biases. Examine the major concerns and suggest measures to make education policy more inclusive and democratic. (150 Words) (10 Marks)

Approach

Introduction: Write briefly about the People’s Education Policy 2025 view on NEP 2020.
Body: Write major concerns & suggest measures to make education policy more inclusive & democratic.
Conclusion: Emphasis on rights-based & participatory approach aligned with constitutional values.