The union cabinet announced a new national education policy in 2020 which proposes some changes in the Indian education system. It aims at making ‘India a global knowledge superpower’. It also aims at bringing the 2 crore children who are out of the schools into the mainstream through an open schooling system.
A recent shift in the policy now allows students of Classes 5 and 8 to be held back if they fail year-end assessments—even after a re-exam. This marks a departure from the earlier ‘No Detention Policy’, aiming to reinforce academic accountability without compromising learning support.
Union Cabinet of India approved this policy on 29th July 2020. It replaces National Education Policy 1986 and is a framework for elementary to higher education along with vocational training. The Aim of National Education Policy 2020 is to transform India’s education system by 2021.
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What is National Education Policy?
The NEP provides a broad direction but is not mandatory to follow as the Indian state Tamil Nadu does not follow 3 language formula which was prescribed by the NEP in 1968. Since the education policy comes under the subjects listed in the concurrent list (the list in which both the central and state government can make laws). It will not be implemented immediately at the time when it is approved. The government has set up a target for the year 2040 to implement the entire policy. Proper funding always plays a crucial role as 1968 NEP faced the issue of shortage of funds. According to this, the kids will be taught in their mother tongue. As Education is a concurrent subject, the policy clearly states that kids will be taught in their mother tongue or regional language ‘wherever possible’”.
What’s the purpose of new NEP 2020?
It is a framework that helps to develop the education system of India. In 1964, it was the first time when the need for this policy was felt when congress MP Siddheshwar Prasad criticized the government for lacking the vision in the fields of education. In that particular year, a 7-member education commission which was headed by then UGC Chairperson D S Kothari was formed to draft the national and coordinated policy on education. Keeping in account, the suggestions of this commission the parliament firstly gave the green flag to education policy in 1968 which came to be known as the first national education policy. At present India has three National Education policies-
- In the year 1968 under Indira Gandhi.
- In the year 1986 under Rajiv Gandhi which was revised in 1992 at the time when P V Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister.
- In 2020 under the leadership of Mr. Narendra Modi.
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NEP 2020 for Higher Education
Check below the National Education Policy 2020 for higher education:
- NEP proposes the 4 years multi-disciplinary Bachelor’s degree courses with exit options in vocational and professional areas.
- More than 100 higher education institutions have rolled out the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), offering flexible learning paths with multiple exit options. Notably, India’s premier institutes like IITs are now expanding internationally, with new campuses planned in Africa and the Middle East, making Indian higher education more globally accessible.
- The courses will be implemented as-
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- After completing 1 year of study- A certificate
- After completing 2 years of study- A diploma
- After completing 3 years of study- Bachelor Degree
- A 4-year multi-disciplinary bachelor’s degree.
- To align degree education, M.Phill courses are to be discontinued like in Western models.
- A Higher Education Council of India (HECI) will be set up to increase the gross enrollment ratio with 4 verticals-
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- National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC)- For regulating Higher education and teacher education excluding medical and legal education.
- National Accreditation Council (NAC)- Meta Accrediting Body
- Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC)- For funding and financing universities and colleges and replacing National Council for Teacher’s education, All India Council for Technical Education and University Grants Commission.
- General Education Council (GEC)- Framing Graduated attributes along with National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF). NCTE will also come under GEC as PSSB (professional standard-setting Body).
- Other PSSB will include the Veterinary Council of India, Council of Architecture, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, and National Council of Vocational education and Training.
- NTA (National Testing Agency) will be given responsibility for conducting competitive examinations JEE main and NEET also.
- Higher education institutions like IITs will make changes regarding the diversity of learning.
- Higher education in India will be internationalized. Foreign universities will be invited to set up a campus in India.
- The fees will be fixed in Government and private colleges.
NEP 2020 for School Education
Check below the National Education Policy 2020 for school education:
- Unlike the present system of 10+2, it gave us a new system of 5+3+3+4. Till class 10th students will be taught in their mother tongue.
- According to the present system, it only includes 12 years of education in the middle and secondary stages. Middle stage from 6-16 and secondary stage from 17-18. But in the new academic structure, gave us a new division as-
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- Foundational stage (5 years)- Play activity-based learning divided into 3 years of Playschools, + class 1st and 2nd in primary school. The age of the student at this stage will be 3-8 years.
- Preparatory stage (Class 3rd to 5th)- Play, discovery, interactive classroom-based learning which will include subjects like speaking, reading, writing, physical educations, Languages, Arts, Science, and mathematics. The age of the student at this stage will be 8-11 years.
- Middle stage ( Class 6th to 8th )- Experimental learning in fields like science, mathematics, arts, humanities, etc. The age of the student at this stage will be 11-14 years.
- Secondary stage ( Class 9th to 12th)- Multidisciplinary study, flexibility, and choice of subjects. The first phase of this stage covers Class 9th and 10th and the second phase covers class 11th and 12th. The age of the student at this stage will be 14-19 years.
- School students will only attend 3 examinations in class 2nd, 5th, and 8th.
- Vocal educations will start from class 6th with internships and coding will also be introduced at this level.
- It also aims to increase the public investment in the educational sector to reach 6% GDP at the earliest. Currently, India spends 4.6% of its GDP on education.
- National institutions for Pali, Persian, and Prakri, Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation to be set up .
- The class 10th and 12th board exams are made easier to test core competencies rather than memorizing the facts with all the students allowed to take the exam twice and will be redesigned by PARAKH (Performance assessment, Review, and Analysis of knowledge for Holistic Development).
- The policy aims to reduce the curriculum load of the students and allow them to be more inter-disciplinary and multilingual.
- A 360-degree holistic progress card that keeps a track of student’s progress.
- Mid- Day meal Scheme will also include Breakfast.
NEP for Teacher Education
Check below the National Education Policy 2020 for teacher education:
By 2030, the minimum education requirement of a teacher will be Bachelor of Education and the recruitment process will be strong and transparent. By 2021, The National Council for Teacher education will come up will a National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education and a National Professional standards for teachers by 2022. The aim of the policy is that students are taught by passionate, highly qualified, Motivated, professionally trained teachers.
New guidelines have introduced mandatory continuous learning modules for educators, focusing on child psychology, inclusive education, and modern teaching strategies. These updates ensure that teacher training evolves alongside classroom demands.
Other Changes in NEP
The new Educational institutions and bodies will be formed such as-
- National Education Commission headed by Prime Minister of India.
- Academic Bank of Credit – It is a digital storage of credits earned to help to resume further education by utilizing these credits.
- National Research Foundation – It will bring improvements in the field of innovations and researches.
- Special Educational Zones – It will focus on the education of students of Disadvantaged regions.
- Gender Inclusion Fund – It will take care of the education of females and transgender children.
- National Educational Technology Forum – It will facilitate the exchange of ideas for the use of technology for improving education.
- Twice-Yearly Board Exams: Beginning in 2025–26, board exams for Classes 10 and 12 will be conducted in two sessions annually. This dual-exam format is designed to ease pressure on students and provide an opportunity for performance improvement without the need for formal reappears.
- New Curriculum for Monastic Schools: A uniform syllabus is being introduced in Buddhist monasteries across India’s Himalayan border regions. While preserving traditional teachings, this curriculum now includes modern subjects such as science, math, and computing, enabling students to earn state-recognized qualifications.
- Boost to Digital Education: Building on digital initiatives like DIKSHA and PM e-VIDYA, the NEP now places greater emphasis on blended learning. These platforms are enabling students—even in remote areas—to access lessons in regional languages and interactively learn through videos and assessments.
Conclusion
A New Education Policy has the aim to have an inclusive, participatory and holistic approach, which takes your mind towards ground experiences, research, as well as lessons learned by best practices.
Update (2025): Five years into the rollout, the policy is showing promising transformation across schools and colleges. With increased focus on flexibility, skill-building, and inclusive access, the education system is steadily moving toward the NEP’s 2040 vision of equity and excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions on NEP 2020
Q1. Does the NEW Education Policy 2020 increase the years of schooling?
Ans. No, The New Education Policy 2020 is not increasing the schooling years. The years will remain the same in numbers. It has just changed the pattern. Instead of 10+2, it has become 5+3+3+4.
Q2. What are the multiple exit options in higher education?
Ans. The students will get the certificate, diploma, etc. according to the years of the education like-
- After completing 1 year of study- A certificate
- After completing 2 years of study- A diploma
- After completing 3 years of study- Bachelor Degree
- A 4-year multi-disciplinary bachelor’s degree.
Q3. NEP 2020 also proposes the new rule for teachers?
Ans. Yes, NEP has changed the pattern of teacher’s education. The recruitment process will also be more strong and transparent and a Bachelor of Education will be a minimum education requirement for the teachers to practice.
Q4. Will the new educational bodies and institutions be set up under this Policy?
Ans. Yes.
Also Read: Essence of Educational Consultancies When It Comes To Studying Abroad
