About the Scheme
NEP 2020 is a comprehensive education policy replacing the 34-year-old NPE 1986. It envisions restructuring of Indian education (5+3+3+4 structure), multidisciplinary approach, mother-tongue medium, vocational integration, reduction in curriculum load, and establishment of HECI (replacing UGC, AICTE, NCTE). Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission (NIPUN Bharat) is a key implementation.
Target Beneficiaries: 35 crore students at all levels from preschool to higher education; teachers; educational institutions
Implementing Agency: Ministry of Education, NCERT, UGC, AICTE, State Education Departments, CBSE, NTA, various autonomous bodies and educational institutions.
Key Features
- New school structure: 5+3+3+4 (Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, Secondary)
- Mother tongue/regional language medium of instruction till Grade 5 (preferably Grade 8)
- Multidisciplinary education: arts + science + vocational from school level
- Higher education: flexible credit system; multiple entry/exit options; Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)
- HECI (Higher Education Commission of India) to replace UGC, AICTE, NCTE — being phased in
- Target: 50% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education by 2035 (from 27% in 2021)
- Internationalization: top global universities in India; Indian institutions abroad