National Education Policy 2020 (India)

Approved by India's Union Cabinet in 2020, the National Education Policy 2020 replaced the National Policy on Education of 1986. It presents an overarching vision for education from early childhood through higher education, guided by access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability. The policy is a framework of proposals and goals; its provisions require implementation through responsible authorities, institutions and subsequent programmes.

The policy proposes reorganizing school education into a 5+3+3+4 curricular and pedagogical structure for ages 3–18. Its stages are foundational (ages 3–8, including preschool and Classes 1–2), preparatory (Classes 3–5), middle (Classes 6–8) and secondary (Classes 9–12). It calls for stronger early childhood care and education, priority for foundational literacy and numeracy, more experiential and holistic learning, and greater flexibility among subjects. It also recommends formative, competency-focused assessment and attention to equity, inclusion and the educational needs of disadvantaged groups. The policy says that, wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5—and preferably Grade 8 and beyond—should be the home, mother, local or regional language.

For higher education, NEP 2020 advocates multidisciplinary institutions and more flexible undergraduate study. It describes three- or four-year undergraduate degree options with multiple exit points and corresponding credentials, and proposes an Academic Bank of Credit to digitally record eligible academic credits. It also sets a policy goal of increasing the higher-education gross enrolment ratio, including vocational education, to 50% by 2035 from a stated 2018 baseline of 26.3%. Vocational learning is to be integrated more closely with general education, with practical exposure and opportunities to learn skills.

The policy proposes changes to regulation and accreditation, teacher education, educational technology and research. Among its recommendations are a National Research Foundation to support research across disciplines and a Higher Education Commission of India with distinct functions for regulation, accreditation, funding and academic standards. It also calls for increased public investment in education, with a goal of reaching 6% of GDP at the earliest. Implementation is expected to involve central and state governments and multiple education bodies; the policy describes phased action, coordination and periodic review rather than a single measure that takes effect all at once.