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.