Cabinet Approves National Education Policy (2020)

Cabinet approves New Education Policy (NEP) after 34 years. In a remarkable decision taken in the parliament, the central government approves implementation of New Education Policy (NEP) across all the states in the phased manner from 2022.

The central government had appointed a High-Level committee to recommend changes to the present education system in the country. The high-level committee in august 2020 came up with New Education Policy with substantial recommendations for the current educational system in India. These recommendations were in sync to meet the current job trends, mainly focused on a skill-centric approach. The NEP emphasized on a skill-centric approach for the new generation of students. The focus was more on skill-based learning over traditional or theory based learning.

The cabinet has finally approved the New Educational Policy 2020, and it will be implemented in the phased manner from the academic year 2022.

Structure of NEP

Key highlights of NEP

• All the students up to Grade 5 or 5th standard will be taught in their mother tongue, local language only. The rest of all the subjects even if they are in English will be considered as a subject

• Board Exams will be only available in the 12th class or PUC. All the earlier board exams such as 10th level are abolished

• All the exams will be done semester wise from 9th to 12th. The schooling will be done under 5+3+2+4 formula

• The college degrees will be 3 and 4 years and the certificates will be given on the first year of graduation, diploma on the second year, degree in the third year

• The 3-year degree certification is given for those who don't have to take higher education. At the same time the students who have completed 4-year degree will be considered as the students with higher education and are only required to do 1-year of post graduation

• The students who have completed postgraduate education can join to Ph.D course and M.Phil course will be abolished

• The students are given permissions to do other courses in between throughout the completion of his/her degree. The NEP also gives a chance to shift to another course in the middle of a course. The students enrolled in one course are given a second chance to take the break for the limited time from the chosen course 

• The NEP allows the colleges and universities to offer E-courses in regional languages and also offer virtual labs for the students