NEP 2020 is the Most Crucial Pathway to Viksit Bharat, Says Dharmendra Pradhan

On the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that NEP is the most crucial pathway to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047. While addressing an event in New Delhi, he spoke about how the policy has laid a strong foundation for transforming the education system in

On the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that NEP is the most crucial pathway to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047. While addressing an event in New Delhi, he spoke about how the policy has laid a strong foundation for transforming the education system in India, from early childhood care to higher education. He highlighted that the NEP is a forward-looking roadmap that connects Indian values with global aspirations.

I chose to write about this because NEP 2020 is not just a government document—it directly affects students, teachers, and parents. Five years on, it’s important to know what has changed, what progress has been made, and how this policy is helping shape the future of our youth. Whether you’re a student aiming for a new-age career or a parent planning your child’s education, understanding NEP gives clarity about where our system is heading. Also, with ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ becoming a national goal, education remains one of the strongest tools to achieve it.

What Dharmendra Pradhan Said About NEP 2020

Speaking on the milestone occasion, Pradhan said that NEP 2020 is “the most important and most crucial pathway for realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India.” He stressed that the policy is not just about academic reforms but a complete overhaul of the Indian education system to make it more inclusive, flexible and job-ready.

He mentioned how NEP is rooted in Indian culture and values while promoting international standards and innovation. From mother-tongue-based early education to vocational training in schools, the policy is focusing on learning that is relevant, practical and forward-looking.

Five Years of NEP: What Has Been Achieved?

In the last five years, NEP has brought in several key changes across various levels of education:

School Education

Introduction of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) under the NIPUN Bharat Mission
Emphasis on mother tongue or regional language as medium of instruction till Class 5
Focus on experiential learning, bagless days, and coding from an early age
Integration of vocational education from Class 6 onwards

Higher Education

Push for multidisciplinary institutions and multiple entry-exit system under UG/PG courses
Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) to store credits digitally
Setting up of Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) for streamlined governance
Focus on research with institutions like NIDHI, PM-USHA, and NRF

Skill Development

Collaboration with Skill India Mission to bring industry-ready vocational courses
Expansion of digital tools like SWAYAM, DIKSHA and National Digital Library

Teacher Training and Curriculum

The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 was rolled out as per NEP guidelines
Focus on teacher training and mentoring, especially for early years education
Introduction of new textbooks that reflect Indian knowledge systems and culture

NEP and Viksit Bharat: How They Connect

Viksit Bharat 2047 is a vision to make India a fully developed nation by the time it completes 100 years of independence. Education is the backbone of this plan. Dharmendra Pradhan rightly pointed out that NEP provides the skills, values, and flexibility needed to prepare the youth for jobs that do not even exist today.

He said that by 2047, our education system should be capable of producing innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers who are rooted in Indian ethos but also globally competitive.

NEP aims to:

Increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 50% in higher education
Promote research and innovation at college level
Build future-ready youth for India’s growing digital and green economy

Why This Matters to Every Indian

The success of NEP depends not just on policies but on how well schools, colleges, teachers, and parents adopt the changes. Students now have the flexibility to choose subjects, take breaks in college, and gain job skills early. This will be a game-changer for rural students and first-generation learners who need both quality education and economic opportunity.

As someone who regularly interacts with students and education content, I’ve seen how NEP has started making a real difference—be it in classroom teaching methods or the rise of local-language online courses. It’s not perfect yet, but the direction is clearly positive.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.