When the National Education Policy (NEP) was announced on July 29, 2020, it promised nothing short of a complete reimagining of India’s education system. Five years later, its influence is increasingly visible, particularly in government schools and rural classrooms where the policy has sought to address long-standing gaps in learning and infrastructure. Moving away from rigid, exam-focused education, NEP has aimed to create a system that is flexible, inclusive, multidisciplinary, and rooted in India’s cultural heritage.
The policy aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4), which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education, while also fostering critical thinking, creativity, and holistic development over rote memorisation.
Foundations first: Literacy and numeracy
One of the most tangible achievements of NEP has been in early childhood education and foundational literacy. With the launch of the NIPUN Bharat Mission in 2021, the government set an ambitious target: to ensure that every child achieves Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) by Grade 3.
Innovative initiatives such as Vidya Pravesh, Balvatikas, and Jadui Pitara have made learning interactive, joyful, and age-appropriate for millions of children. According to ASER 2024, 23.4 percent of Class III children in government schools can read Grade II-level text, a notable rise from 16.3 percent in 2022. Basic arithmetic skills have also improved: 27.6 percent of students in Class III are now able to perform subtraction, compared to 20.2 percent in 2022. Many credit these gains to play-based, child-centric learning methods introduced under NEP, replacing conventional, exam-driven instruction with experiential education.
Restructuring Schools: The 5+3+3+4 model
Another transformative aspect of NEP is the restructuring of school education under the 5+3+3+4 model. The new framework divides schooling into foundational (5 years), preparatory (3 years), middle (3 years), and secondary (4 years) stages. Supported by the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), this structure shifts the focus from memorisation to competency-based, multidisciplinary learning.
New textbooks like Mridang, Sarangi, and Joyful Mathematics integrate India’s linguistic and cultural diversity, promoting deeper engagement and critical thinking. NEP also introduced vocational education from Grade 6, ensuring early exposure to skills relevant to local industries and emerging job markets.
The National Credit Framework now allows students to accumulate learning credits, supporting flexible career pathways and holistic portfolios that go beyond traditional academic streams.
Infrastructure and inclusivity
The success of NEP also depends on improving infrastructure and making education inclusive. Under Samagra Shiksha, enrolment rates have risen while dropouts have declined. Most government schools now report access to clean drinking water, electricity, and gender-sensitive toilets, creating a conducive environment for learning.
Special schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), along with over 5,200 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, have expanded residential and academic support for tribal children and marginalised communities, particularly girls.
These interventions ensure that education reaches the most vulnerable sections, promoting social equity alongside academic growth.
Digital transformation in classrooms
NEP’s vision of a digitally enabled education system has proven critical, especially during the pandemic. Platforms like DIKSHA and PM eVIDYA provide high-quality learning resources in over 130 languages, helping bridge linguistic and geographic divides. Digital classrooms and virtual learning modules have also supported teachers, students, and parents, ensuring continuity of education even amid school closures.
Furthermore, the Rashtriya Vidya Samiksha Kendra (RVSK) enables real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making, allowing authorities to track school performance, identify gaps, and strengthen accountability. This digital push has transformed administrative and teaching practices, facilitating a more responsive education ecosystem.
Teachers at the core
NEP recognises that teacher empowerment is key to meaningful reform. Through NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement), over 14 lakh teachers have received training, with ongoing digital support for continuous professional development.
Assessment reforms under PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) have introduced competency-based evaluations and holistic progress cards, which measure not only academic knowledge but also creativity, socio-emotional skills, and overall well-being. By moving away from rote testing, NEP encourages teachers to nurture a more comprehensive understanding of student development.
Inclusion and special needs
A key focus of NEP is inclusive education. The PRASHAST (Pre Assessment Holistic Screening Tool) helps schools identify children with disabilities and provide tailored support. Indian Sign Language has been introduced as a secondary language option, promoting accessibility for hearing-impaired students. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has expanded flexible learning pathways for out-of-school children, adult learners, and even Agniveers, enabling them to complete secondary education or gain vocational qualifications.
Holistic development and multilingual learning
NEP emphasises holistic growth across cognitive, emotional, and physical domains. Multilingual instruction, integration of arts and culture, and early exposure to science and technology have become cornerstones of the curriculum. Schools are encouraged to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity, preparing students for a rapidly changing global landscape.
Despite progress, implementation challenges remain. Teacher training at scale, ensuring uniform quality across rural and urban areas, infrastructure disparities, and integrating technology in under-resourced regions requires sustained attention. Experts argue that continuous monitoring, funding, and policy support are necessary to maintain momentum and achieve NEP’s ambitious goals.
A new vision for Indian classrooms
Five years into NEP 2020, classrooms are becoming dynamic, learner-centred spaces where children are encouraged to explore, create, and think critically. From foundational literacy to flexible career paths, from cultural integration to digital innovation, the policy has sown the seeds of transformation that will influence generations to come.
The journey ahead requires political commitment, sustained investment, teacher empowerment, and community participation. But as India’s classrooms embrace these changes, the National Education Policy 2020 is emerging not just as a policy document, but as a vision for a future-ready India, one that learns inclusively, innovates continuously, and thrives collectively.
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