The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was a landmark reform in India’s education system. It aimed to overhaul the traditional framework and introduce a more holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary approach to learning. Now, in 2025, as we complete five years of NEP, it’s a good time to reflect on its implementation, key changes, challenges, and the road ahead.
Understanding NEP 2020: A Brief Overview
The NEP 2020 was India’s first education policy of the 21st century, replacing the previous policy of 1986 (modified in 1992). It was approved by the Union Cabinet on July 29, 2020.
Key Objectives of NEP 2020:
- Universalization of education from preschool to secondary level (age 3–18).
- Emphasis on mother tongue/local language as medium of instruction till at least Grade 5.
- New 5+3+3+4 school structure instead of the traditional 10+2 system.
- Introduction of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs).
- Common entrance exams for college admissions through NTA.
- Promotion of vocational education, coding, and experiential learning from early grades.
1. The 5+3+3+4 Curriculum Structure: What’s New?
This structural change is one of the most visible reforms. The breakdown is:
- 5 years (Foundational stage): Preschool to Class 2 — focus on play/activity-based learning.
- 3 years (Preparatory stage): Classes 3–5 — discovery, activity-based learning in local language.
- 3 years (Middle stage): Classes 6–8 — introduction to coding, experiential learning.
- 4 years (Secondary stage): Classes 9–12 — multidisciplinary learning, flexible subject choices.
Implementation Status in 2025:
- CBSE and several state boards have aligned syllabi with the 5+3+3+4 model.
- Foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) is being prioritized under the NIPUN Bharat Mission.
- Coding and vocational education now introduced from Class 6 in many schools.
2. Multilingual Education: Bridging the Gap
NEP promotes teaching in the mother tongue/regional language till Class 5 (preferably till Class 8).
What’s Happening in 2025:
- Many government schools across states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra are adopting local languages in early grades.
- Training modules are being developed for teachers to improve bilingual teaching.
- Parents still show a strong preference for English-medium instruction, posing a challenge to full implementation.
3. Higher Education Reforms: Flexibility and Multidisciplinarity
One of NEP’s strongest features is reforming higher education:
Key Goals:
- Increase Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035.
- Establish Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs).
- Introduce Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) for flexible learning paths.
- Phase out MPhil and create four-year UG degrees with exit options.
Progress in 2025:
- Several central and state universities have started 4-year UG programs with multiple entry-exit options.
- NTA conducts CUET (Common University Entrance Test) for UG admissions across central universities.
- ABC platform is live, allowing students to accumulate and transfer academic credits digitally.
- Institutions like IITs and IIMs are increasingly becoming multidisciplinary.
4. Teacher Training and Reforms
Teachers are at the core of NEP’s success. The policy focuses on continuous professional development, minimum qualifications, and performance-based career progression.
Key Steps Taken:
- Introduction of the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST).
- The DIKSHA platform and NISHTHA training modules are used for teacher upskilling.
- B.Ed programs are being restructured into integrated 4-year courses from 2025.
5. Vocational Education and Experiential Learning
NEP emphasizes reducing the divide between academic and vocational streams.
In 2025:
- Schools across states are introducing internships and skill-based learning from Class 6.
- Collaboration with industry partners is helping students gain hands-on experience.
- Courses in coding, carpentry, digital literacy, and agriculture are now part of school curricula.
6. Digital Education: Expanding Access and Equity
The COVID-19 pandemic made digital education a necessity. NEP 2020 reinforced this through initiatives like:
- PM eVidya platform
- DIKSHA for content delivery
- One Class One TV Channel
- National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR)
2025 Status:
- Over 200 TV channels deliver lessons in regional languages.
- Students in rural areas benefit from offline content via QR-coded textbooks.
- NEP encourages the use of AI and adaptive learning platforms for personalized education.
7. Governance and Regulation
NEP proposed creating a single regulator: Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), with four verticals:
- NHERC – Standards and regulation
- NAC – Accreditation
- HEGC – Grants
- GEC – Curriculum framework
2025 Updates:
- Draft legislation for HECI is under discussion.
- UGC is in transition toward becoming HEGC.
- Institutions are being nudged toward self-regulation based on accreditation.
Challenges Faced During Implementation
Despite strong policy intent, NEP 2020 faces several challenges:
- Funding constraints in both central and state budgets.
- Resistance to change among teachers and institutions.
- Language politics over medium of instruction.
- Digital divide still affects rural and marginalized students.
- Lack of trained bilingual teachers in many regions.
Way Forward in 2025 and Beyond
To make NEP 2020 truly transformative:
- States need to accelerate ground-level implementation with local adaptations.
- Stronger public-private partnerships are needed for vocational and digital education.
- Increase in budget allocation for education (target is 6% of GDP).
- Regular monitoring and feedback mechanisms to ensure timely reforms.
- Empowering school leadership and teacher training institutions.
Conclusion: NEP 2020 in 2025 – A Work in Progress
As we mark five years since the launch of NEP 2020, the journey is both inspiring and complex. Several reforms are already reshaping how India educates its youth. From foundational learning and multilingual education to flexible university systems and AI-based tools, NEP 2020 offers a visionary path forward.
But to realize its full potential, the focus in 2025 must shift from policy to practice, from intention to impact. It is not just the responsibility of governments but also educators, students, and communities to drive the change.
The road to a New India through a New Education Policy is being built — step by step, reform by reform.
