Five years after the launch of India’s landmark National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the country is witnessing the profound impact of a policy that goes beyond conventional reforms to redefine education itself.
The Union Education Minister recently underscored that the policy’s transformative ideas, ranging from multilingual instruction to an emphasis on skill development, are now fundamentally changing classroom experiences across the nation.
Rather than merely releasing a policy document, NEP 2020 rekindled an ancient educational ideal deeply rooted in India’s civilisational heritage.
Designed through one of the most participatory policy-making processes under the guidance of the late K Kasturirangan, NEP offers a visionary roadmap that honours cultural values while charting a future-ready education system.
At its core, NEP envisions learning as an organic and dynamic process, moving away from rote memorisation and rigid pedagogies.
The policy champions a multilingual approach, giving primacy to mother tongue instruction, thereby dismantling linguistic hierarchies that have long constrained educational equity.
Visible Changes in Classrooms
Today, NEP’s imprint is visible from early childhood centres to higher education institutions.
Young learners in early years now engage in play-based activities that foster curiosity and creativity, displacing the earlier focus on memorising facts.
Children confidently read and comprehend in their mother tongue, nurturing a deeper connection to their culture and context.
As students progress, the curriculum incorporates hands-on vocational training, enabling Class 6 pupils to explore practical skills that prepare them for the future workforce.
This shift towards skill-based learning addresses long-standing gaps between education and employability, making education more inclusive and relevant.
The policy’s influence extends beyond school classrooms. Research hubs are increasingly bridging India’s indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary scientific inquiry, fostering innovation that honours tradition while embracing modernity.
NEP has also been a catalyst for greater gender inclusion, notably encouraging more women to enter STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
Indian educational institutions are gaining global recognition, reflecting the policy’s success in raising academic standards and expanding access.
As India marks five years of NEP implementation, its vision of an inclusive, multilingual, and skill-oriented education system is being realised at scale.
The policy has laid a strong foundation for nurturing a generation that is culturally grounded, innovative, and equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The Union Education Minister’s remarks celebrate these achievements, affirming that NEP 2020 is not merely a set of guidelines but a transformative movement poised to shape India’s educational and socio-economic future for decades to come.
Also Read: India Begins FY26 On Solid Footing As Inflation Hits 6-Year Low, Jobs And Trade Hold Steady
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
