India’s National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 was adopted amidst the large-scale disruption of education during the pandemic – a crisis that exposed deep-rooted challenges of education in access, quality and equity. NEP promised nothing less than a ‘complete overhaul’ of the country’s education ecosystem. It sought to transform all levels and every aspect of education, from formal to vocational, and preschool through university, to build a future- ready, inclusive, and globally competitive system.
A five-year milestone is both a moment to celebrate progress and confront persistent gaps. Therefore, this series, ‘Five Years of NEP 2020: From Vision to Reality’, takes stock of NEP’s promise. It critically examines NEP 2020’s boldest commitments – early childhood care and education, foundational literacy and numeracy under NIPUN Bharat, language learning, skilling and vocational education, digital inclusion, health and wellness through schools, technical and medical education, higher education and internationalisation of Indian education. Each article delves deeply into its theme, reviewing what interventions have been made against NEP’s vision, what results are they beginning to deliver, what challenges remain and how to chart the way forward.
This series will serve as a resource for policymakers, educators, researchers, and civil society, fostering informed dialogue and offering actionable strategies to translate NEP’s vision to reality. It will also ensure that the promise of NEP 2020 is not measured by policy announcements alone, but by real, equitable, and lasting change in the lives of India’s children and youth.
