National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

I. School Education Reforms

1. Universal Access to Education

• The policy aims to ensure education for all children from ages 3 to 18.
• Access will be expanded at preschool, primary, secondary, and senior secondary levels.
   

2. Structural Shift: 5+3+3+4 System

• This format replaces the older 10+2 system.
• Formal education starts at age 3, including preschool years for the first time.
   

3. Foundational Literacy & Numeracy

• A National Mission will target universal proficiency in reading, writing, and arithmetic by Grade 3.
• The emphasis is on learning outcomes in early classes.
   

4. Curriculum and Subject Flexibility

• Subjects will no longer be divided into rigid streams.
• Students can combine arts, sciences, vocational subjects, and extracurricular activities.
• Vocational exposure begins from Grade 6, including internships.
   

5. Examination and Assessment Reforms

• Continuous and competency-based assessment will replace rote-learning methods.
• A central body called PARAKH will define and monitor learning outcomes across school levels.
   

6. Multilingual Education Policy

• Instruction in the mother tongue/home language till Grade 5, and preferably till Grade 8.
• Indian classical languages including Sanskrit will be offered at all levels.
• The three-language formula will be implemented more flexibly, encouraging diversity and inclusion.
   

7. Teacher Education and Training

• A four-year integrated B.Ed. program will be made compulsory for teacher recruitment.
• A new National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) will be created by NCTE in collaboration with NCERT.
   

II. Higher Education Reforms

1. Multidisciplinary and Holistic Education

• Undergraduate degrees will be more flexible with multiple exit points:
  • 1 year: Certificate
  • 2 years: Diploma
  • 3 years: Bachelor’s degree
  • 4 years: Bachelor’s degree with research
• Vocational and skill-based learning will be integrated at all levels.
   

2. Academic Credit and Student Mobility

• An Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) will digitally store earned credits.
• Students can switch institutions without losing academic progress.
   

3. National Research Foundation (NRF)

• A new apex body will fund, mentor, and strengthen research across disciplines.
   
• Focus on creating a national research ecosystem with strong outcomes.
   

4. Higher Education Governance

• A single regulatory body: Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) (excluding legal and medical fields).
   
• It will have four verticals:
  • NHERC: Standard setting
  • NAC: Accreditation
  • HEGC: Grants
  • GEC: General Education Council
     

5. Use of Technology

• Establishment of National Educational Technology Forum (NETF).
• NETF will serve as a platform for exchanging best practices in digital teaching, learning, and management.
   

6. Promotion of Indian Languages

• Establishment of institutions like:
  • Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI)
  • Dedicated bodies for Pali, Persian, Prakrit, and Sanskrit.
• Language departments in universities will be strengthened.
   

7. Internationalization

• High-performing Indian institutions can set up overseas campuses.
• Top foreign universities will be allowed to operate in India with regulatory clarity.
   

III. Other Key Provisions

1. Education Financing

• Reaffirms target of 6% of GDP as public expenditure on education.
• Emphasizes cooperative federalism and centre–state coordination for funding.

2. Adult and Lifelong Learning

• A new National Curriculum Framework for Adult Education will cover:
   
  • Basic literacy and numeracy
  • Financial and digital literacy
  • Vocational skills
  • Equivalency education (up to secondary level)
  • Lifelong learning in arts, culture, and technology
     

3. School Complexes and Clusters

• Schools will be grouped into administrative units for shared resources, infrastructure, and teacher development.

4. Emphasis on Equity and Inclusion

• Special education zones and targeted interventions for underrepresented groups (SCs, STs, girls, differently abled, and minorities).
• Gender Inclusion Fund and special schemes for disadvantaged regions.