Dharmendra Pradhan: Reforming India’s Education for the 21st Century

India’s education system is frequently recognized as a rising force globally, echoing Mahatma Gandhi’s vision that democracy thrives not on rote knowledge, but on meaningful education. At the helm of this transformation stands Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education Minister since July 2021. With a strong background in administration and reform, Pradhan’s leadership has been central to the sector’s recent advancements.

One of the most significant reforms in recent years, the NEP 2020, is being implemented nationwide with the following primary objectives:

- Reducing rote memorization and emphasizing conceptual understanding.

- Promoting multidisciplinary education at the tertiary level.

- Integrating vocational training from Class 6 onwards.

- Introducing the use of mother tongue and regional languages, especially in early education.

- Reforming assessment systems to move beyond memory-based examinations.

Launched on 7th September 2022, the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme aims to transform 14,500 schools by 2026. Key features include:

- Smart classrooms and digital learning tools.

- Skill development labs.

- Sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.

- Teaching in regional languages.

To address the pressures of competitive exams, especially for Classes 11 and 12, the government introduced SATHEE, a free online coaching platform developed in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. Its primary goals:

- Reducing reliance on expensive private coaching for exams such as JEE and NEET.

- Supporting students from government schools and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Programs like Samagra Shiksha and BharatNet have been expanded to enhance digital infrastructure, particularly in rural and remote areas. Key focus areas:

- Implementation of smart classrooms and reliable broadband access.

- Deployment of AI-powered tools for teachers.

- Development of multilingual digital educational resources.

Recognizing the importance of educators, a panel was established in 2025 to address:

- Overdependence on private coaching institutes.

- The prevalence of “dummy schools.”

- Misalignment between school curricula and competitive exam requirements.

Additional efforts include:

- National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)

- National Mission for Mentoring (NMM)

- Training teachers in local languages.

- Providing high-quality digital content and mentorship.

The Union Budget 2025–26 allocated a record ₹1.28 lakh crore to the education sector, emphasizing:

- Digital infrastructure and smart schools.

- Research hubs and artificial intelligence tools.

- Expanded skill development programs.

- Increased capacity in medical and engineering education.

India’s education system is undergoing substantial transformation under the leadership of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. Through comprehensive policy reforms, modernization of school infrastructure, advancement of digital literacy, and focused investment in educators, the system is evolving into a robust foundation. These initiatives position India to realize its ambitions of becoming a developed and self-reliant nation, with education serving as a critical pillar for future growth.

By Jishnu Mukherjee