Context

• Over the years, India’s education system has undergone significant transformations, with the most profound changes occurring in the last decade.
• Critics argue that the system has deviated from its intended course under the Narendra Modi government, but evidence suggests otherwise.
• The reforms initiated through the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 mark a decisive break from past inefficiencies, redefining the sector to align with contemporary global trends.
• Therefore, it is important to examine the previous challenges in India’s education system, the transformative impact of the NEP 2020, and the broader implications for the country’s future.

Previous Challenges in India’s Education System

• Outdated Curriculum and Colonial Legacy
  • One of the primary issues plaguing India’s education system was its outdated curriculum, which failed to keep pace with the rapidly changing global landscape.
  • For decades, the curriculum remained rooted in rote learning, prioritising memorization over critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • This approach did little to prepare students for the modern workforce, which increasingly values creativity, analytical skills, and adaptability.
• Corruption and Governance Deficit
  • Corruption was a defining characteristic of India’s education system for many years.
  • Public universities were systematically starved of funds, while private institutions flourished without regulation.
  • The unchecked proliferation of private colleges led to the rise of degree mills, institutions that prioritised profits over education quality.
  • Many of these institutions operated without proper accreditation, handing out degrees that held little real value.
  • One of the most infamous examples of corruption was the Deemed University scandal of 2009, where 44 private institutions were granted university status without adequate evaluation.
  • Many of these institutions were later found guilty of financial irregularities, raising serious concerns about the credibility of the higher education system.
• Political Interference in Education
  • Political interference played a significant role in distorting India’s education system.
  • Leadership positions in universities were often awarded based on political loyalty rather than academic merit, compromising the integrity of higher education institutions.
  • Vice-chancellors and faculty appointments were frequently influenced by ruling parties, turning universities into ideological battlegrounds rather than centres of learning.
  • This interference extended to curriculum design, where historical narratives were selectively altered to serve political interests.
  • Key figures in India’s independence movement, such as Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, and Veer Savarkar, were downplayed in textbooks, while uncomfortable truths about foreign invasions were either omitted or diluted.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A Transformative Vision

• Recognising these challenges, the Modi government introduced the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, marking the first major overhaul of India’s education system in over three decades.
• Unlike past policies, which were designed with limited consultation, NEP 2020 emerged from the most extensive democratic discussions in India’s policy history.
• It is built on five key pillars: access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability.
• These principles guide the policy’s objective of making education more inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive.

Transformative Impact of the NEP 2020

• Correcting Structural Inequities
  • A significant focus of NEP 2020 is correcting structural inequities.
  • The policy has led to a substantial increase in higher education enrolment among marginalised communities: Scheduled Castes (SC) enrolment rose by 50%, Scheduled Tribes (ST) by 75%, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) by 54% since 2014-15.
  • Women’s education has also seen remarkable progress, with female enrolment growing by 38.8% across all categories and PhD enrolment among women increasing by an astonishing 135%.
• Substantial Investments
  • The government has made substantial financial investments in education, with per-child government expenditure increasing by 130%, from ₹10,780 in 2013-14 to ₹25,043 in 2021-22.
  • This increase has enabled the upgrading of government schools with modern infrastructure, improved pedagogy, and better teacher-student ratios.
  • The emphasis on foundational learning, numeracy, and cognitive development aims to equip students with skills essential for the future.
• Technological Integration and Research Advancements
  • The NEP 2020 has also reimagined education through the integration of technology and skill-based learning.
  • It has introduced futuristic elements such as coding from middle school, multidisciplinary learning, and rural innovation hubs.
  • Over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) have been established to nurture grassroots innovation, with plans to expand this initiative further.
  • These efforts ensure that students are not only academically competent but also equipped to tackle real-world challenges through innovation and creativity.

Broader Implications of NEP 2020

• Sustainable Revenue Models for Institutions
  • Higher education institutions are also benefiting from sustainable revenue models, reducing dependence on government resources.
  • As a result, India now has 11 universities ranked among the QS World Rankings top 500, a significant improvement from previous years.
  • Research publications have surged by 88% since 2015, propelling India’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index from 76 in 2014 to 39 in 2023.
  • The establishment of the Anusandhan-National Research Foundation fosters collaboration between academia and industry, further strengthening India’s research and innovation ecosystem.
• Reviving Indian Languages and Cultural Heritage
  • One of the most groundbreaking aspects of NEP 2020 is the emphasis on Indian languages and knowledge traditions.
  • For decades, an ‘English-first’ policy dominated Indian education, sidelining regional languages and indigenous knowledge systems.
  • The Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) initiative has been integrated into over 8,000 higher education institutions, promoting indigenous wisdom alongside modern disciplines.
  • The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Yojana aims to publish 15,000 original and translated textbooks in 22 Indian languages, ensuring that students can learn and express themselves in their mother tongues.
• Commitment to Social Justice
  • The government’s commitment to social justice is reflected in the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act of 2019.
  • This legislation ensures fair representation of SC, ST, and OBC candidates in university faculty positions, rectifying past injustices where reservations were often bypassed through bureaucratic loopholes.
  • The abolition of the practice of rejecting marginalised candidates under the guise of “None Found Suitable” has made reservation policies more meaningful.

Conclusion

• The NEP 2020 has redefined education through inclusivity, technological integration, and the revival of India’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
• With increasing enrolment, enhanced research output, and improved infrastructure, India’s academic ecosystem is experiencing an unprecedented renaissance.
• These reforms go beyond mere policy adjustments, they represent intellectual decolonization, positioning India on the global stage as a knowledge powerhouse.
• As the nation continues to build on these foundations, it stands poised to realise its vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), where education serves as the true force of empowerment and progress.