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To commemorate 5 years of NEP 2020, the Union Education Minister inaugurated the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2025, showcasing achievements and future priorities for India’s education reforms.
Key Terms / Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| NEP 2020 | India’s overarching education policy reform aimed at quality, equity, and accessibility from preschool to higher education. |
| NCF-SE | National Curriculum Framework for School Education under NEP, focusing on foundational and experiential learning. |
| NIPUN Bharat | National FLN mission to ensure reading, writing, and numeracy by Grade 3. |
| Academic Bank of Credits | Digital system allowing flexible course choices and credit transfers for higher education. |
| PM SHRI Schools | Model schools under NEP to showcase best practices in teaching, learning, and digital integration. |
Key Achievements of NEP 2020
| Focus Area | Milestone Achieved |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Reform | 5+3+3+4 structure with mother tongue instruction; experiential learning encouraged. |
| Inclusive Education | 1.15 lakh SEDG and 7.58 lakh girl students in residential schools; PRASHAST app for disability screening. |
| Foundational Literacy | 4.2 crore students reached under NIPUN Bharat and Vidya Pravesh. |
| Teacher Development | Over 4 lakh teachers trained through NISHTHA, DIKSHA, PM e-Vidya. |
| Digital Access | 72% schools now have internet; e-Jaadui Pitara and AI bots introduced. |
| Higher Education Reform | Multidisciplinary Universities (MERUs), Multiple Entry-Exit, and Academic Bank of Credits operational. |
| Unified Testing | CUET standardized UG admission from 2022 onwards. |
Major Initiatives under NEP 2020
| Scheme | Objective |
|---|---|
| PM SHRI | Develop model schools with NEP-aligned pedagogy and tech integration. |
| NIPUN Bharat | Strengthen FLN in early grades. |
| PARAKH | Holistic student assessment system. |
| NISHTHA | Capacity-building for school leaders and teachers. |
Challenges in NEP Implementation
| Challenge | Details |
|---|---|
| Federal Disagreement | Tamil Nadu, West Bengal oppose three-language formula, mother tongue mandate, and CUET. |
| Digital Divide | Only ~57% of schools have computers; rural areas especially under-equipped. |
| Financial Gaps | Public education spending still below 6% of GDP target. |
| Regulatory Delays | HECI formation, Teacher Education Framework rollout delayed. |
| Language & HR Barriers | Shortage of multilingual teachers; slow content translation in regional languages. |
| Resistance to Reform | Schools hesitant to adopt NEP’s pedagogy changes; centralisation fears. |
| Monitoring Gaps | Weak data systems hinder real-time evaluation and reform impact tracking. |
What Steps are Needed?
| Area | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Innovation | Invest in R&D for localized tech-pedagogy solutions. |
| Infrastructure | Upgrade ICT in schools; bridge digital divide. |
| Teacher Training | Empower teachers in digital pedagogy and critical thinking. |
| Collaboration | Build cross-sector partnerships for future-ready learning systems. |
In a nutshell
Memory Code: “NEP LIFT”
NIPUN Bharat boost,
Equity through inclusivity,
PM SHRI model schools,
Language policy hurdles,
Internet & infra gaps,
Flexible credit systems,
Teacher tech training needed.
Prelims Practice Questions
- The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) introduced under NEP 2020 aims to:
(a) Offer financial loans for higher education
(b) Enable flexible credit transfer across institutions
(c) Provide grants for school infrastructure
(d) Train teachers in digital tools - What is the purpose of the PRASHAST App launched under NEP 2020?
(a) Teacher feedback system
(b) Disability screening and support
(c) Parent engagement portal
(d) Digital library for rural schools - Which of the following is not a feature of the 5+3+3+4 structure introduced under NEP 2020?
(a) Focus on board exam preparation from Class 5
(b) Foundational stage from ages 3–8
(c) Preparatory stage with activity-based learning
(d) Emphasis on mother tongue instruction in early grades
Mains Questions
- Highlight the key reforms introduced under NEP 2020 and evaluate their impact on India’s school and higher education systems. (15 marks)
- Discuss the major challenges in implementing NEP 2020 across states and suggest viable solutions. (10 marks)
Answer Key with Explanations
| Q No. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (b) | ABC allows students to transfer and store academic credits digitally for flexible learning. |
| 2 | (b) | PRASHAST supports disability identification and inclusive education services. |
| 3 | (a) | The new structure emphasizes holistic development, not board exams at Class 5. |
