The “New National Education Policy (NEP)”, approved by the Union Cabinet, aims to introduce a range of reforms, from reducing the school curriculum to abolishing MPhil programs.

The NEP aspires to create an education system that directly contributes to the country’s transformation by providing high-quality education to all citizens and positioning India as a global knowledge superpower.

New System of Education 2024

The new education policy was adopted by the Modi government. The 10 + 2 structure has been fully eliminated in the new education policy. Our country’s educational curriculum has been based on 10 + 2, but it will soon be based on 5+ 3+ 3+ 4. This means that one-half is from primary to second grade, the second portion is from third to fifth grade, the third part is from sixth to eighth grade, and the last part is from ninth to 12th grade.

We’ll provide you with a quick overview of the New Education Policy 2021-2023, including the Scheme Benefits and key Features.

What is the New Education Policy 2024 (NEP)?

The Indian government’s New Education Policy (NEP) was last updated in 1992 after its initial drafting in 1986. The Modi-led BJP government promised in its election manifesto to create a new education policy to bring significant changes to the education sector.

In July 2020, the Union Cabinet of India approved the New National Education Policy (NEP) to modernize the Indian education system from school to college level. This policy aims to make India a ‘global knowledge superpower.’ Alongside this, the Ministry of Human Resource Development was renamed the Ministry of Education with the introduction of NEP in 2020.

The new National Education Policy is founded on the pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability. It strives to make both school and college education more holistic, multidisciplinary, and flexible, aligning with the 2020 agenda for sustainable development.

The Need for a New National Education Policy (NEP)

Before the introduction of the New National Education Policy (NEP) in 2020, the Indian education system had several pitfalls. Memorization was prioritized over the understanding of concepts, and the presence of multiple boards created inconsistencies. Each board had different learning methods for various skills, yet all students had to take the same standardized board exams.

Additionally, the focus was more on mastering traditional subjects with less emphasis on developing vocational skills. The new education policy addresses these pitfalls and limitations, aiming to bridge the gap between vocational and formal education. The NEP seeks to create a more balanced, comprehensive education system that promotes both academic and practical skills.

Transformation of Indian Education System Post-Independence

• 1948 – The 1st commission, University Education Commission, was set up

• 1952 – The Secondary Education Commission was established

• 1964-1966 – The Indian Education Commission was introduced

• 1968 – 1st National Education Policy came up

• 1986 – A new policy was formulated

• 1992 – The previous education policy was modified

• 2005 – The 1986 education policy was again modified

• 2020 – The new National Education Policy (NEP) was passed by the cabinet

• 2023-2024 – The New Education Policy was implemented in this academic year

What Led to the Creation of NEP?

A panel of specialists, led by former ISRO chief K. Kasturirangan, analyzed the challenges and necessary adjustments in the Indian education system, encompassing school, college, and recruitment processes. Their proposals were then gathered and approved by the Ministry of Education.

Salient Features of New Education Policy 2024

1. Schooling from the age of 3 years now

The New Education Policy (NEP) extends compulsory schooling from the age bracket of 6-14 years to 3-18 years. It includes three years of previously unrecognized pre-schooling for children aged 3-6 years in the school curriculum. The new system will comprise 12 years of formal education and three years of Anganwadi/pre-school education.

The traditional 10+2 school curriculum framework will be replaced with a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years, respectively. This new structure emphasizes Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).

2. Mother tongue can be the medium of instruction

The NEP emphasizes using pupils’ native language as the medium of instruction while adhering to the “three-language formula” and ensuring no language is imposed on anyone. The NEP suggests using the mother tongue as a medium of instruction rather than making it mandatory.

According to the policy, children learn and grasp complex topics faster in their native language.

The home language, mother tongue, local language, or regional language will be used as the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably until Grade 8 and beyond. After that, wherever practicable, the home or local language will continue to be taught as a language. This regulation applies to both public and private schools.

3. NO UGC, AICTE, NCTE

The Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be established as a single umbrella body overseeing all higher education in India, excluding medical and legal education. This body will regulate, accredit, and maintain academic standards for both public and private higher education institutions under a unified set of rules.

Over the next 15 years, the government plans to phase out college affiliations. A stage-by-stage procedure will be implemented to provide colleges with graded autonomy.

4. Science, Arts, and Commerce gets blurred

Under NEP 2020, there will be no formal distinctions between arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities, or vocational and academic programs. Students will have the flexibility to choose from a variety of disciplines across different streams. Vocational education, including internships, will begin in the sixth grade.

5. FYUP Programme Returns & No More Dropouts

Under the NEP, undergraduate degrees will last three or four years, with multiple exit options available during that time. Colleges will award a certificate after one year of study in a subject or field, including vocational and professional fields, a diploma after two years of study, or a Bachelor’s degree after a three-year program.

The government will also establish an Academic Bank of Credit to store academic credits earned at various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) digitally, allowing them to be transferred and counted toward a final degree.

In summary, this policy brings much-needed adjustments to the education system. The lack of a uniform system has been addressed, leading to more transparency and the establishment of a single national agency overseeing the entire education system in the country.

6. Common Access at all School-level Education

NEP 2020 aims to provide universal access to school education, ensuring the holistic development of students from an early age. The policy outlines that students’ progress and learning capacities will be monitored regularly. It introduces diverse learning modes, including both formal and informal teaching methods.

Additionally, the policy mandates that vocational education courses be incorporated into the curriculum from pre-school through to 12th grade. Beyond knowledge and skills, the NEP emphasizes the inclusion of trained counselors and social workers within the schooling system to support students’ overall well-being and development.

7. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) to start from grade 3

FLN (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy) is a broad concept that encompasses a child’s ability to read basic texts and solve fundamental numerical problems like addition and subtraction. It is considered an essential prerequisite for further learning.

In line with this, the NEP has directed states to develop and implement plans to integrate FLN into the curriculum for all primary school students by 2025.

8. Project-based Learning in the School Curriculum

The policy emphasizes that the school curriculum and pedagogy should focus on the holistic development of students by designing coursework that equips them with 21st-century skills. The curriculum will be streamlined to prioritize experiential learning and critical thinking, allowing students to choose subjects that interest them. Additionally, vocational education will be introduced in classes 6th-8th, with opportunities for internships to provide practical experience.

9. Efforts to Increase the Graduate Enrollment Ratio

In recent years, fewer students have pursued higher education. To address this, the policy aims to increase higher education enrollment, including vocational education. The graduate enrollment ratio is expected to rise to 50% by 2035, up from 26.3% in 2018. Additionally, with the introduction of multiple exit options in higher education, the policy anticipates a reduction in student dropout rates.

10. Bringing Online and Distance Education at Par with Regular Courses

The government has taken steps to elevate the standards of distance learning programs to match those of regular courses. Initiatives include offering online courses, creating digital repositories, providing funding for enhanced student services and research, and recognizing MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) for credit.

11. Technological Innovation in Education as the Base of NEP

The National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), an autonomous body, will be established to facilitate the free exchange of ideas on using technology to enhance academic experiences. This integration of technology aims to improve classroom processes, support teacher professional development, and streamline education planning and management.

12. Internationalisation of Education

An important aspect of NEP 2020 is its focus on the internationalization of education. The policy encourages institutions to establish global collaborations with universities and research institutes. It supports not only student exchange programs but also faculty exchanges. Additionally, NEP 2020 aims to facilitate the establishment of campuses by top global universities in India.

13. Increase in Public Investment in Education

In line with the objectives of the New Education Policy, both the Centre and State governments will collaborate to boost investment in education. The goal is to increase the combined investment in the education sector to 6% of GDP as soon as possible to enhance educational infrastructure.

Confused About the 5+3+3+4 Structure of NEP?

It is the refurbished structure of the educational framework which was introduced in the New Education Policy 2024. It categorises learning into four stages, explained below:

• Foundational Stage: It consists of the initial years of a child’s education i.e. till 5 years. The first three years of primary education are based on interactive learning through activities and playful games. This is followed by grades 1 and 2 where the child will gain basic literacy and numbers.
• Preparatory Stage: It spans for three years from class 3rd to 5th. A multi-faceted approach is to be adopted for a comprehensive learning experience at this stage. The curriculum emphasises on understanding and the application of concepts instead of rote memorisation.
• Middle Stage: The stage between classes 6th to 8th is the middle stage and it takes your child deeper into the subject matter. It is the first time that students are introduced to project-based learning and they learn about the subjects in detail.
• Secondary Stage: It is the final segment of school education which includes grade 9 to 12, also known as higher secondary education. Students get the chance to choose the subjects of their choice and prepare them for future career paths. The child will learn real-world skills and competencies.

Abiding Principles of New Education Policy 2024

The primary goal of the New Education Policy is to assess the standard of education and upgrade its mark each year to match the global level. The objective is to make India a leader in a knowledge-based industry through the universalisation of education. Underlined are the principles of NEP:

• Determine each child’s potential and focus on it

• Enhance foundation literacy and numeracy knowledge among children at an early stage

• Promote and offer flexible learning methods

• Invest in public education

• Upgrade the quality of education at all levels

• Bring children closer to Indian culture

• Invest in research

• Popularise the use of technology and emphasis on digital literacy

• Teach different Indian/foreign languages

• Focus on developing the child’s creativity and logical thinking

• Make education policy more transparent

Implementation Phase of the New Education Policy in 2023?

Since its introduction in 2020, many Indian educational institutions have begun implementing the new National Education Policy (NEP). After three years, several academicians from top institutions, including IITs, NITs, and IISERs, have reviewed and shared their experiences with the policy’s implementation.

According to the Deccan Chronicle, Prof. B.S. Murthy, Director of IIT Hyderabad, noted that students were given a semester break with 6 credits to pursue innovative ventures, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship through BUILD (Bold & Unique Ideas Leading Development) projects. Similarly, Prof. B. Jagdeeshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, highlighted that NEP measures now allow students to enroll in two programs simultaneously.

Panjab University has adopted the New Educational Policy 2023 in a phased manner for the academic years 2023-2024. The university has already approved suggestions for regulations and syllabi and will continue implementing new measures.

Prof. Satyanarayana from IIT Tirupati emphasized that the open curriculum and transdisciplinary course patterns, including flexible electives, have enhanced skill development and community-oriented projects. This approach is seen as crucial for nation-building. Additionally, Prof. Rajesh Viswanathan from IISER Tirupati mentioned that their institution had introduced multiple-exit options in the BS-MS program, adding a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to education, which was previously more rigid.

Challenges of NEP 2024

The framework designed by NEP will bring a revolutionary change in the entire higher education ecosystem of India, but it has a few limitations, as studied by a few researchers. These are:

• As the policy aims to double the gross enrollment ratio by 2035, this requires the creation of a new university every week for the next 15 years, which is a huge challenge.

• To deliver the upgraded curriculum effectively, India needs a sizable pool of competent teachers who are familiar with the new pedagogical approach.

• Adequate funding and resources are required for proper implementation.

• As teachers generally share a disciplinary anchoring culture, it is difficult to have educators with exceptional skills who are experts in one area and lean in other subjects as well.

• NEPs multiple entry and exit options may face challenges in India because of the large student population. It could lead to a high annual intake in higher education. It can become difficult for universities to predict how many students would join and exit.

Conclusion

India’s education system is currently at a crucial turning point, facing the challenge of adapting to the needs of a rapidly evolving society with a population exceeding 1.4 billion. While significant changes have been made to the academic structure in recent years, some challenges remain.

The new National Education Policy (NEP) provides a comprehensive strategy to improve educational quality and address socioeconomic disparities. Its success relies on strong collaboration between private and government sectors. If implemented effectively, NEP 2020 has the potential to transform India’s education system.