Subject: Education

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introduced after 34 years, aims to transform the Indian education system to make it equitable, inclusive, and globally competitive.

NEP 2020 in alignment with SDG-4

Free and Universal Education

NEP promotes free primary and secondary education and universal literacy.

Targets universalisation of education with 100% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) by 2030.

Proposes extension of Right to Education up to 18 years.

Elimination of Discrimination in Education (SDG 4.5) – Focuses on inclusion of 2 crore out-of-school children into mainstream education.

Equal Access to Quality Pre-primary Education (SDG 4.2)

Affordable and Quality Vocational Training for Women (SDG 4.3)

Qualified and Trained Teachers (SDG 4.c) – NEP proposes National Professional Standards for Teachers and regular training.

Reorientation and Restructuring of the Indian Education System

School Education Reforms

5+3+3+4 model aligns learning outcomes with cognitive development stages.

National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) ensures universal literacy by Grade 3.

Integration of vocational training from Class 6 bridges the gap between education and employability.

Higher Education Transformation

Vision to create a multidisciplinary and research-driven system with HECIs (Higher Education Commission of India) as a single regulator.

Establishment of National Research Foundation (NRF) to boost innovation.

Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) target of 50% by 2035-aligns with SDG-4’s focus on higher education accessibility.

Technology Integration – Creation of National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) and expansion of DIKSHA platform for digital content.

Focus on Teachers – Teacher education to become integrated and professionalized (B.Ed. as a 4-year degree).

Challenges

Federal Issues as Education is a concurrent subject. Eg- TN opposition to 3 language

Funding Constraints – NEP targets 6% of GDP expenditure on education, but current allocation is around 2.9% (Union Budget 2024-25).

Digital Divide – over 40% rural households lack internet access (NFHS-5).

Limited industry-academia linkage hampers employability outcomes of vocational programs. (only 55% employability)

Learning poverty – Over 70% of Class 3 students cannot read age-appropriate texts (ASER 2025)

Teacher Shortage – Over 9 lakh vacancies (MoE, 2025); only 15% of teachers trained under NISHTHA

Poor Infrastructure in Schools – 35% of schools lack reliable electricity and digital tools (UDISE+, 2021-22).

Way Forward

Establish State Curriculum Frameworks (SCFs) aligned with NEP timelines.

Increase Public Investment: Achieve 6% of GDP target with transparent utilization and outcome monitoring.

Digital Equity: Expand PM eVIDYA, public Wi-Fi, and digital resource centers in rural schools.

Public-Private Partnerships: Leverage CSR, EdTech collaborations, and local institutions for inclusive access.

Teacher Empowerment: Strengthen continuous teacher training and monitoring under PARAKH assessment framework.

If effectively realized, NEP 2020 can transform India from a literacy-focused to a learning and innovation-oriented society, essential for achieving Viksit Bharat @2047.

India’s demographic dividend can be fully realized only through quality skill development. The scheme provides students opportunities for on-the-job training and financial independence.

Significance of the Scheme

Bridging Education-Employment Gap: (55% employability)

Promoting Financial Inclusion: Encourages economically weaker students to continue education.

Industry-Ready Workforce: Provides hands-on skills needed for job readiness and entrepreneurship.

Encouraging Dignity of Labour: Changes social perception towards blue-collar jobs.

Education – College drop-out rates can come down.

Exposure and experience- To their subject and field.

Inculcate soft skills, business acumen in students.

Challenges in Implementation

Limited Industry – academia Linkages

Vocational education is often treated as inferior to mainstream courses.

Lack of Standardization: Weak alignment with National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).

Funding Constraints: Poor financial incentives for students and industries to participate.

Monitoring and Quality Issues: Weak oversight of apprenticeships and training outcomes.

Gender Disparities due to mobility constraints, safety concerns, and societal norms

Way Forward

Strengthen Industry-Academia Linkages: Implement the Dual System of Training (DST) as in Germany.

Integrate with PMKVY and National Skill Development Mission for convergence.

Incentivize Employers: Tax benefits and recognition for industries providing apprenticeship.

Embed Life Skills & Entrepreneurship Training to enhance employability.

The ‘Earn While You Learn’ model embodies the vision of NEP 2020 and SDG-4 by promoting skill-based, inclusive education. “Skilling is building a better India. ” – PM Narendra Modi

Enacted under Article 21A, the RTE Act (2009) aims to provide free and compulsory elementary education to all children aged 6-14 years.

Key Features of RTE Act

Fundamental Right: Makes eight years of quality elementary education a justiciable right.

25% Reservation: Mandates private unaided schools to reserve seats for disadvantaged groups.

Infrastructure Norms: Sets binding standards for Pupil-Teacher Ratio, buildings, and toilets.

No-Detention Policy: Prohibits failing or expelling students until Class 8 (subject to later state-level amendments).

Zero Screening: Bans capitation fees and interview-based admissions for children or parents.

Teacher Standards: Mandates minimum professional qualifications and clearing of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).

Major Incentives Provided

Mid-Day Meals: Ensures nutritional support to improve attendance and concentration.

Free Uniforms and Textbooks: Eliminates the direct out-of-pocket costs of schooling.

Transport Allowances: Provided to children in remote areas lacking a neighborhood school.

Special Training: Bridge courses for out-of-school children to join age-appropriate classes.

Infrastructure Grants: Funding for functional girls’ toilets and drinking water facilities.

Scholarships: Target-based financial aid for SC, ST, and minority students.

Major Issues in Promoting Incentive-Based System

Prevalence of Child Labour and lack of awareness about Education importance – Eg- High seasonal dropouts in agriculture-heavy districts of Bihar/UP in 2025. (ASER 2025)

Marginalized families remain unaware of the 25% EWS quota and online application portals.

Perverse Incentives: Focus on attendance for meals/books rather than actual learning engagement or outcomes.

The “Class 9” Cliff: Incentives stop at Class 8, leading to massive dropouts once fees are introduced.

Learning Poverty Paradox: ASER 2024 reports that only ~43% of Class V students can read a Class II-level text.

Geographical Exclusion: Over 8.1 million children from urban slums remained out of school in early 2026. (NAC Implementation Report)

Stigmatization: EWS children in elite schools face social alienation

Way Forward

Awareness Campaigns: Use “Nukkad Nataks” and local influencers to explain the “value” of education beyond meals. Eg- “Vidyanjali 2.0” community volunteer programs.

Extension of Mandate: Extend free education up to Class 12 to prevent the “Class 9 dropout” crisis. (NEP 2020)

Outcome-Based Incentives: Transition from “enrollment incentives” to “outcome-linked” benefits for schools and students. Eg- NIPUN Bharat performance-linked grants

Documentation Camps: Organize “on-the-spot” certificate camps in schools for EWS/Caste certificate verification.

Social Integration Training: Sensitize private school teachers to prevent the stigmatization of EWS students in classrooms.

Strengthening SMCs: Empower School Management Committees to conduct local social audits of learning quality.

Public School Revamp: Elevate government school quality (PM SHRI) to make them the “first choice” for parents.

RTE must shift from a “Right to Enrollment” to a “Right to Learning” by prioritizing awareness over mere fiscal incentives.