Introduction

The NEP aspires to develop an education system that directly contributes to the country's transformation by delivering high-quality education to all or any citizens and developing India into a world knowledge superpower. The 10+ 2 structure has been fully eliminated within the new education policy. The country's educational curriculum has been supported 10 + 2, but it'll soon be supported 5+ 3+ 3+ 4. This implies that one-half is from primary to second grade, the second portion is from third to fifth grade, the third part is from sixth to eighth grade, and also the last part is from ninth to 12th grade. The National Education Policy 2020 has 'emphasized' on the utilization of first language or local language because the medium of instruction till Class 5 while, recommending its continuance till Class 8 and beyond. Sanskrit and foreign languages will be emphasis. The Policy recommends that everyone students will learn three languages in their school under the 'formula'. a minimum of two of the three languages should be native to India. It also states that no language is going to be imposed on the scholars.

Historical background of national education policy

India has seen a series of reforms through, education policies, acts, plans of action, and curriculum frameworks.

 

(a) First national education policy on education (1968)

The Govt. led by, Smt. Indira Nehru Gandhi introduced the primary national education policy and supported the recommendations from the Kothari Commission. The policy had subsequent highlights. Three language formulas in educational activity - English, Hindi & the regional language Recommendation to spend 6% of national income on Education, Compulsory education for all children up to 14 years old, following the Constitution of India

(b) National education policy 1986

This policy was introduced by Govt. led by Shri. Rajiv Gandhi and its highlights are, civil rights were the main focus, especially for girls, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), a Child-centered approach in primary education, Operation blackboard to enhance the first school education

(c) National education policy 1992 (modification)

This was the modified version of the policy in 1986 - it absolutely was led by the government of P. V. Narasimha Rao, a number of the numerous highlights were, the target of universal enrolment and retention of kids, Reducing Rural-urban disparities, and Common entrance exam for admission to technical and professional courses across the country.

Highlights of national education policy

School education In NEP 2020

• The NEP proposes to universalize childhood care and education (ECCE) for children ages 3 to 18 by 2030 and also achieve a 100% gross enrolment ratio in school education over an identical period. Besides the main focus on ECCE, there's also a stress on measuring learning outcomes and assessments. These are the foremost elements proposed for school education are the following:
• National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for Childhood Care and Education (NCPFECCE) for students up to the age of 8. The new curricular and pedagogical framework of 5+3+3+4 years with a strong base of time of life Care and Education (ECCE) from age 3. Medium of instruction in maternal language or local language regional language a minimum of up to Class 5. English to be optional up to Class 8. School exams in Classes 3, 5 and eight and board exams in Classes 10 and 12. the Reduction in curriculum to core concepts. A National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of knowledge for Holistic Development) to be founded as a standard-setting body for all recognized school boards.
• Bagless days in schools.
• Gender-Inclusion Fund' to provide equitable quality education for all girls additionally transgender students. Board exams to test knowledge application, include 'modular exams'. Vocational programs to be introduced from Class 6.

Higher education in NEP 2020

Achieve a 50% gross enrolment ratio by 2035. Three categories of universities: research-intensive, teaching-intensive autonomous degree-granting Colleges. Undergraduate degree programmes will last three or four years with multiple exit options Exit options include a Certificate after completing one year in a very discipline, a diploma after 2 years, Bachelor's degree after a 3-year programme and a 4-year Multidisciplinary Bachelor's programme.

Major and system in degrees allow students the choice of multidisciplinary choices for example, Physics with Fashion Design. Credit transfer are enabled through academic credit backs. Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs) are going to be founded. Internationalization of education - allow entry to foreign universities, and student and college mobility. More faculty and institutional autonomy. Governance of upper Education institutions (HEIs) by independent boards having academic and administrative autonomy. Fee fixation for personal and public universities. All HEIs are to be multidisciplinary by 2040. Professional education is an integral a part of the upper education system. one regulator, the upper Education Commission of India (HECI), will regulate with the identical norms for each variety of institution, private and public. Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI) to be established. Efforts to preserve and promote all Indian languages including classical, tribal and endangered languages are going to be undertaken. The establishment of a National Research Foundation (NRF) National institutes for Pali, Persian and Prakrit are founded.

 

Table-1 Comparison of new education policy and old policy of education

New education policy	Old education policy
School formula: 5+3+3+4	School formula:10+2
Science students free to choose arts subjects	Science/Arts students mix subjects
Option of taking board exams again to improve	Students can’t take more than one board exam
Advises learning in regional language till class 5	Regional language curriculum a choice
4-year undergraduate programme	3-year undergraduate programme
Multiple exit options for students	No exit options for students

Advantages and disadvantages of new education policy

• Changes within the School Structure: the present structure of 10+2 school education is replaced with the 5+3+3+4 pattern, to scale back students' burden of board exams
• Broader Options to Learn: The children in classes from 9 to 12 will now have multidisciplinary course options available to them, which implies that the various streams are going to be more porous with various subject combinations successfully doled
• Making Education a Basic Right: at the present, the govt. ensures that children from the age of 6 to 14 years may get compulsory education that numerous programs successfully doled out, including the one like "Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan". But it omitted several children from the education system. Therefore, the updated NEP promises to universalize education to incorporate youngsters from 3 years old to 18 to produce them with free education at government-run establishments.
• Option to Learn Coding in School: The introduction of computers and coding classes as early as class 6 is going to be within the curriculum is a positive step toward upgrading the educational process.
• Focus on Critical Thinking: The board exams system that primarily tested the memorization and memorization ability of scholars is going to be replaced to develop critical thinking, rationalization, and creativity of scholars with the sensible application of their knowledge.
• More Inclusive Policy: The new NEP delves into the availability of funds and also the creation of education zones, and gender inclusion funds for underprivileged students to allow them access to learning and growth. Even the creation of the Bal Bhavan in every state are a welcome step that will support the scholars residing in remote regions.
• Improvement in Teaching Quality: By 2030, B.Ed. are going to be made a compulsory 4-year course to boost the standard of education for teachers and steps are going to be taken to create them capable of tackling various problems with the education system, including providing support and mentorship to the scholars, further as being trained to show the scholars with disabilities.
• Upgraded Undergraduate Program: The 3-year undergraduate program is going to be replaced with a 4-year program which will give the choice to own a one-year degree after completing the first year, a diploma after completing the 2nd year, and a degree for the completion of three years. The fourth-year are going to be researched-based. the scholars also will have the choice to alter their discipline, their accrued credits are transferable and available till their education pursuit is active.
• Regulating the Fees: The implementation of NEP will put a ceiling on the extent fee is charged, in order that the private institutions might not charge exuberantly for instruction.
• More Scope for Global Education: The new NEP will welcome worldwide educational institutions and foreign universities to line up their campuses in India. The Indians will have a higher reach to quality education in their nation, making the dream affordable to more students because it may even reduce the drain.

Disadvantages of NEP 2020

• Enforcement of Languages: The NEP emphasizes the introduction of first language within the primary classes which can be wont to teach the principal subjects, while English are going to be taught at a way later stage.
• Delay in Teaching of English: The NEP suggests that the govt schools will start teaching English after class 5, which goes to be a setback for the scholars who can only afford to travel to government-run institutes. While the private schools will stick with it with the practice of introducing English right from the start, which goes to be highly beneficial for his or her students
• Focus on Digital Learning: Though it sounds practical and therefore the need of the hour, the main focus on digitization of education and therefore the promotion of e-learning under the NEP 2020 seems to overlook the very fact that nearly 30% of Indians can afford smartphones and fewer still have access to computers.
• The Updated Terms of Undergraduate Program: Since under the updated policy a student can exit from the graduate program and still get a certification or diploma, this will cause the scholars to quit without completing their education, resulting in their non-seriousness and a high drop-out rate.

Impact of new education policy 2020 on higher education

• Colleges will need to give a certificate after completion of one year in any discipline or field, including vocational and professional areas; a diploma after two years of study; and a bachelor's degree after a three-year program. The new policy aims to extend the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education, including vocational training, from 26.3 percent (2018) to 50 percent by 2035. For this, 35 million new seats are going to be added to higher education institutions.
• The government will set up a National Research Foundation (NRF) with the aim of catalyzing and energizing research and innovation across all academic disciplines, particularly at the university and in grade. SAT-like college test - The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct a standard college entrance exam twice every year. Over the subsequent 15 years, colleges are going to be given graded autonomy to issue degrees. Affiliation with universities will end, and these institutions are going to be given the status of 'deemed to be university.
• The New policy suggests a cap on fee charged by private institutions within the higher education space. Top-rated global universities are going to be facilitated to come to India. Similarly, top Indian institutions are going to be encouraged to go global. M. Phil would be discontinued, paving the way for college kids with master's degrees to get PhD.
• To ensure the preservation of all Indian languages, the NEP recommends fixing an Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation, National Institute (or Institutes) for Pali, Persian and Prakrit, strengthening the Sanskrit and everyone other language departments in higher education institutions. The National Education Policy aims to realize 100 percent literacy in the country

 

Conclusion

With the introduction of NEP 2020, many changes are made and one in every of those is that the discontinuation of M. Phil course although there are many drawbacks within the new education policy, the merits are more in number it's believed by many who by implementing these changes, the Indian academic system is going to be taken a step higher.

Govt. of India (1986). National Policy on Education, 1986

Govt.  of India (2020).  National Education Policy 2020. https://www.education.gov.in/ sites/ upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf

https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/document-reports/NPE86 mod92.pd

Verma Hemlata and Kumar adarsh, 2021New Education Policy 2020 of India: A Theoretical Analysis, International Journal of Business and Management Research, 302-306.

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Nandini, ed. (29 July 2020). "New Education Policy 2020 Highlights: School and higher education to see major changes" Hindustan Times.

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https://indianexpress.com/photos/explained-gallery/national-education-policy-2020   quixplained-6537120/

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/reading-new-education-policy-india-schools-colleges-6531603/

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-hrd-ministry-and-ministry-of-education-6531694/