The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a comprehensive policy document, approved by the Union Cabinet on July 29, 2020, that outlines the vision for transforming India's education system. It is the first education policy of the 21st century, replacing the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986, which had been in effect for 34 years. The policy was introduced to address issues like rote learning, low learning outcomes, and the fragmentation of higher education, aiming to align the system with the needs of the 21st century. It was developed based on the report of a panel led by former ISRO chief Dr. K. Kasturirangan.
The policy works by introducing major structural and pedagogical reforms, guided by the five pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability. In school education, it replaces the 10+2 structure with a new 5+3+3+4 curricular framework. A key provision is according the highest priority to achieving Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) by all students by Grade 3. It also mandates that the medium of instruction be the mother tongue or regional language up to at least Grade 5. In higher education, it introduces flexible 4-year undergraduate degrees with multiple entry and exit options and aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035.
The NEP 2020 connects to the Ministry of Education and proposes the establishment of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). While it does not repeal the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act), it proposes amendments to strengthen elementary education. The policy aims to increase public investment in education to 6% of GDP. The major change was the replacement of the NPE 1986, but the core focus on universal access and equity remains a constant principle.