Introduction to NEP 2020 ( Higher Education )

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, approved by the Government of India, marks a historic reform in the education system after more than three decades. It envisions transforming India into a knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, and aligned with the needs of the 21st century.

In the context of Higher Education, NEP 2020 emphasizes:

• Multidisciplinary and Holistic Education through flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, integration of vocational education, and multiple entry–exit options with an Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).
• Increased Access, Equity, and Inclusion by promoting higher Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035, use of technology, and support for disadvantaged groups.
• Institutional Restructuring with the establishment of large multidisciplinary universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), phasing out of the current system of affiliated colleges, and creating a tiered system of Research-Intensive, Teaching-Intensive, and Autonomous Degree-Granting Colleges.
• National Research Foundation (NRF) to foster a strong research culture and build capacity across HEIs.
• Quality and Governance Reforms through transparent regulations, accreditation, and autonomy, ensuring accountability while promoting innovation.
• Internationalization of Higher Education, encouraging global collaboration, student exchange, and attracting top foreign universities to India.