The National Education Policy (NEP) was first introduced in 2020 as a comprehensive framework to overhaul India’s education system. It replaced the 34-year-old NEP 1986 and sought to address gaps in quality, equity, and access to education across all levels.
In December 2024, a significant change was implemented regarding the detention policy for students in Classes 5 and 8. The ‘No Detention Policy’ re-introduced under the Right to Education Act (2009). This had earlier prohibited schools from holding back students in these grades regardless of academic performance. At the time, the provision was aimed at promoting a ‘stress-free’ learning environment but often led to students progressing without a grasp of foundational concepts.
As of December 16, 2024, the government scrapped this policy. Students failing year-end exams in Classes 5 and 8 must now retake the examinations within two months. Failure to clear the re-examination will result in being held back in the same grade.
Why a New Education Policy?
The NEP 2020 aims to make education more inclusive, equitable, and rooted in India’s culture while equipping students with 21st-century skills. It outlines a roadmap for universal foundational literacy and numeracy, holistic curriculum development, multilingual learning, and seamless integration of vocational and academic pathways.
The policy’s cornerstone is the introduction of the 5+3+3+4 education structure, which replaces the traditional 10+2 system and aligns educational stages with the developmental needs of children aged 3 to 18 years.
Current status of NEP implementation
Counting the achievements so far, four years into its rollout, the NEP has introduced a range of reforms in both school and higher education:
Foundational stage curriculum: The National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) and the “Jadui Pitara” learning kit have been launched, focusing on play-based learning for children aged 3-8.
Regional language inclusion: AICTE-approved engineering courses and medical programs are now offered in regional languages. Key entrance exams like JEE and NEET are conducted in 13 languages.
Four-year undergraduate program (FYUP): Over 105 universities, including 19 central institutions, have adopted FYUP, offering flexibility and multiple exit options.
Global expansion of IITs: Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are establishing campuses abroad, with IIT-Madras opening in Zanzibar and IIT-Delhi planning a campus in Abu Dhabi.
Digital and multimodal learning: Initiatives like PM e-VIDYA and DIKSHA have integrated digital platforms for universal access to quality education.
Challenges and delays holding back NEP
Despite progress, several areas have seen slower implementation for varied reasons:
Integration of the 5+3+3+4 structure: Aligning curricula across states and training educators to adopt the new pedagogical methods remains a challenge. The foundational textbooks for some grades have only recently been prepared.
Single higher education regulator: While the policy proposes consolidating UGC, AICTE, and NCTE into a single regulatory body, the legislative framework for this reform is still pending.
Lack of uniform monitoring mechanisms: Effective evaluation of NEP’s impact is ongoing but lacks standardised metrics across regions.
Has NEP been a success? What the government says
Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Education, emphasised that the NEP’s implementation is a shared responsibility between the Centre and states. In his recent response to questions during a Lok Sabha session on December 16, 2024, he highlighted key initiatives like the PM SHRI scheme to develop over 14,500 exemplar schools and the ‘NIPUN Bharat’ mission to ensure foundational literacy by Grade 2. Chaudhary acknowledged delays in certain areas but reiterated the government’s commitment to comprehensive implementation by the 2030-40 timeline.
In terms of providing a more comprehensive evaluation of the system in schools and education boards, the government has conducted extensive consultations through national conferences, workshops, and stakeholder reviews. Assessment tools like PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) have been introduced to monitor learning outcomes, the minister said in his response. Additionally, platforms like Vidya Samiksha Kendra provide real-time data on educational progress.
Looking ahead to 2025: What to expect
With the new year 2025 right around the corner, the focus is expected to shift towards a broader and deeper implementation of NEP’s reforms. Key areas of priority include the expanded rollout of the 5+3+3+4 structure to all grades and regions, ensuring that foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary stages are seamlessly integrated nationwide across school boards.
Another significant development to look out for is the anticipated tabling of the bill for a unified higher education regulator in Parliament, a move aimed at streamlining governance across UGC, AICTE, and NCTE. Further, in terms of teaching-staff mentorships, enhancing teacher training programs under NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement) will also likely remain a key focus, equipping educators to align their pedagogy in-tune with NEP’s larger transformative goals.
