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In 1968, PM Indira Gandhi’s government introduced India's first education policy. The second education policy was formulated by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1986. The third policy for Indian education came in the year 1992 when the government of Narasimha Rao made some amendments to the previous policy. And from then, it was in the year of Corona when after 34 years the government of India  came forward to introduce the fourth policy: The National Education Policy 2020.

It has been 5 years now since the new education policy was introduced.  But is the policy meeting the expectations it had set or is yet another policy left to dry on papers? The answer is: A blend of all. The implementation is lagging, results are unclear, and impact is partial. 

What is NEP 2020?

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) was an ambitious pledge of India to transform the way Indians learn, teach and get ready to serve the future. With the five-year line passed, however, it is time to stop and take a second look at the practical effect, what is succeeding, at what the system falls short and what students, teachers and families can expect as the change unfolds.

What was Promised? 

1. Public education spending to increase to 6% of GDP
2. No 10+2 structure but a New school structure of 5+3+3+4
3. Inclusivity and play-based learning for 3-8years age group
4. Critical thinking focus instead of memorisation. 
5. Universal foundational literacy and numeracy by 2025
6. Mother tongue/regional language as medium of instruction till Grade 5. 
7. Vocational training from 6th grade.
8. Change board exams with National Assessment Centre (PARAKH) 
9. Replace UGC and AICTE with Higher Education Commission 
10. Multiple exit options 
11. Multiple academic credit bank in colleges

NEP Classroom Experience Transformation

The 10+2 board system is out of history. The Indian schools have changed their educational system into the 5+3+3+4 model that allows the introduction of the foundational learning, play-way learning at a young age, and competency-based lessons at Class 3.

According to a 2025 deadline, preschool education must be of good quality and attendable by every child who comes to Class 1. The No Detention Policy has been done away with, the traditional nerve tingling final examination has been given up and normal informal assessments, projects and presentations have taken their place and put students in touch with real life.

Digital Push and Initiatives 

Digital transformation is on a high: initiatives such as DIKSHA and SWAYAM have provided quality materials to crores. A strong government funding is anticipated to ensure more than half of the government schools have smart boards, and internet by 2027. 

Latest Education Funds 

The recent Union Budget 2025-26 has hit the headlines with a massive budgetary allocation of 1.28 trillion in educational activities that represents a 6.5 percent increase over the preceding year. It is currently 4.6 percent of the GDP, but, since this is below the NEP historical nonsensical goal of 6%, it is not yet enough. 

The school education and literacy sector was allocated 78,572 crores and higher education witnessed increased funds to 50077.95 crores all time record breaking by India. A special 500 crore has also been provided as the Centre of Excellence in AI in education which is indicative of the focus on future skills through NEP.

Literacy Rate And Progress by NEP 2020

Throughout India, the level of literacy had reached the mark of 80.9% among the individuals living in the country and above 7 years old by 2024, which is an evident indicator of improvements. Mizoram had become a milestone of India when it became the first state to cross the 95%  mark, becoming the first fully literate state in India, a phenomenon that stressed on the fact that NEP-inspired change can make visible difference even in the countryside, starting with the ULLAS -Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.

The ASER report of 2024 has registered the best ever achievements in basic reading and arithmetic amongst children in primary schools and what it means is that the new curriculum and digital interventions are yielding results on the ground.

Vocational Education As Promised By NEP

NEP 2020 promised a new landmark: at least 50% of the school children will have some exposure to vocational training by 2025. Things are improving as seen in the number of students who have already chosen vocational tracks, 2 lakh and there has been the introduction of compulsory internships to secondary students.

Nevertheless, India has a long journey to complete: only about 5% of the youth labor force has received vocational training which stands as 52% in the US and 96% in South Korea. It is very important to bridge this gap as the way towards developing a workforce of the future.

Challenges of NEP 2020

The radical changes visualised by NEP 2020 have its own hard realities that is stopping it from making the vision a reality:

1. Infrastructure deficits: Infrastructure strength is in the digital and smart classroom intentions, whereas smaller towns and villages need a lot of work to get to technology and modernized facilities, which results in unequal adoption.
2. Faculty training: A larger percentage of educators are not able to learn the new digital tools and student-centered teaching model. Upskilling continues to be a big challenge in the Indian education sector. 
3. Curriculum integration: Universities (and indeed, higher education), struggle to shatter the silos of individual disciplines, and instead take on multidisciplinary and hence flexible courses. The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and the competency assessment is an ongoing work. 
4. Budget crunch: As demand has increased, the relief has not always translated into a corresponding rise in expenditure and India continues to lag behind on expenditure compared to other large economies.

What is the government doing?

Based on the increased budget allocations, curriculum improvements, and technologically enabled solutions, the government is wagering on how the rest of the gaps can be filled by 2030. Another priority is inclusivity particularly among girl students in STEM and rural students.

Through such policies as a Special Education Zone, skill accord with industry, direct scholarship, etc., NEP has the hopes of developing not only graduating job-ready students but also creative minds and innovators.

The message to students and families is simple: NEP is not an already completed one, but an evolving one. The next few years will witness still more digitised classrooms, hands-on skill development, flexibility in every learner- the urban and the rural, and the mainstream and the marginalised. Whether you are looking for anything to do with NEP 2020 and the future of education in India, rest assured the change is real, ambitious and at last, truly attainable.

While the University of Delhi (DU) is ready to introduce the fourth year of the undergraduate (UG) course under the National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020, BA and BSc students have been the largest number enrolling for carry-forward and honours upgrading of their degrees.

According to the university figures, some 72,000 students are in line for the fourth year, of whom more than 50,000 have chosen to continue with the extended year to Thursday, July 24.

According to a PTI report, the majority of the cohort comprises students from interdisciplinary BA and BSc courses who are now waiting eagerly to upgrade their degrees to honours.

Manav, a student of BA from Ramjas College, explained, "This is a great opportunity for us. We didn't have such a facility earlier to graduate with honours, now we can, that's why I joined it."

While the policy guarantees academic freedom and research experience, its practice has left many issues. Students and staff at the university refer to disarray and confusion due to vague directives, poorly manned departments, and administrative inefficiencies in the designation of research supervisors.

Ananya, a third-year BA student at Jesus and Mary College, said she was initially informed that she could pursue her fourth-year research in Sociology and Psychology. "But the Psychology department then informed us it's only for honours students. We were cheated," she said.

This mix-up is proving to be troublesome for students pursuing courses with interfaculty combinations – with involvement of more than one department and conflicting information only working to increase the confusion.

Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh had earlier greeted the fourth year as a "game changer," emphasizing its research, entrepreneurship and skill orientation. He further stated that more than 20,000 students had opted out, but reiterated the university's readiness to take on the rest of the large batch.

"We will establish whatever facilities are needed. It is in the interest of our students," he said.

Despite the promise, teacher associations remain cautious, many of them complaining about inadequate infrastructure, inadequate faculty strength, and absence of organized orientation programmes.

Departments have been reported to be finding it difficult to secure research supervisors and prepare labs in time.

"Non-honour students are bright, but the system is not designed," said a faculty member, going on to say there is no consistency in plans introduced for interdisciplinary students.

As honours course students, particularly those in courses like Economics and English, were considering a rethink of spending an extra year in view of career plans or exam preparations, BA and BSc students saw the fourth year as a much-needed academic upgrade.

"Most of us are keen on further studies or looking overseas. An honours degree would set us apart," said another student at the university's North Campus.

"We just want the university to get things in order before lectures begin," the student added.

With hardly a week left before the academic session can begin, Delhi University is grappling with the double challenge of handling scale and providing clarity – particularly to students who have invested their trust in the NEP promises.

Website for Joint Admission Test for Master's (JAM) 2026 launched by IIT Bombay. The registrations will start from September 5th, 2025 through the specified portal, jam2026.iitb.ac.in, and close on October 12, 2025. This national-level entrance exam is scheduled for 15th February, 2026. Taking this exam will allow admission to various postgraduate courses in the Science stream at IITs and other participating institutions. 

What is JAM 2026?

JAM is a national-level entrance test to be admitted to MSc, Joint MSc-PhD, MSc-PhD dual-degree, and similar postgraduate courses offered by IITs and the associated institutes. The exam will be held next year in February, and the result is expected to  be announced on 20th March, 2026.

Application Procedure  

The applicants need to apply online through the Joint Admission Test for Master's Online Application Processing System (JOAPS) on the JAM 2026 official website. The personal and academic information needs to be filled in the form. Similar to that of any other entrance exam registration form, the choice of three cities should be made, and the requested documents are to be uploaded, especially the photograph, signature, and category certificate (in case it is necessary). Lastly, an application fee needs to be paid to complete the registration.

Examination Centres and Zones  

JAM 2026 test centres are divided into eight sectors under various IITs. Top cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kanpur, Chennai and Guwahati have been provided so that the candidates all over the country have a choice to select a location as per their suitability.  

Admission and Available Degrees  

The aspiring students should have a bachelor's degree and meet the eligibility standards set by the participating institutes. The exam provides entry to various postgraduate courses in various fields such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotechnology, Economics, and Mathematical Statistics.  

Resources of Preparation and Information  

In order to help the candidates in their preparation towards the examination and also to enable them to know how to go about the different admission procedures, the official site provides the latest syllabus, exam pattern, mock tests and for effective guidance, a detailed brochure. It is desirable to access these resources regularly.

The Joint Admission Test (JAM) is an intense and competitive admission process of highly regarded postgraduate science courses in India into the IITs and a few other impressive institutions for qualified candidates. It is recommended that the prospective student maintain the following calendar and, therefore, submit the registration procedure on time, to get an opportunity to become a member of the 2026 batch.For more info or guidelines, refer to the online portal of JAM 2026 at jam2026.iitb.ac.in.

Making a reference to the action with news agency PTI, UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar said, the Commission is completely committed to upholding the highest levels of integrity, transparency, and fairness in its examination processes.

A woman has been debarred for three years from appearing for government job recruitment exams after she allegedly cheated during a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, officials added on Friday. Her candidature for this year's exam also stands cancelled. The candidate was found with incriminating material during one of their recruitment tests of UPSC, the LinkedIn post mentioned.

"As the candidate has been guilty of violating the rules of the Examination under the rule of the examination - 12(1)(h) 'being in possession of or using unfair means during the examination,' read the post.".

"Accordingly, UPSC has invoked stern disciplinary action in terms of standardisation of punishment by cancelling the candidature for this year's examination and debarred the person from appearing in all future examination(s)/selection(s) to be conducted by the Commission for a period of 3 years," the Commission said in a LinkedIn post.

Discussing the relocation with news agency PTI, UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar further said, the Commission is steadfastly committed to upholding the highest levels of integrity, transparency, and fairness in its examination processes.

"Any candidate found guilty of using unfair means or misconduct during examinations is dealt with severe disciplinary action according to rules, including debarment for future examinations, as the most severe of actions," he asserted.

Kumar emphasized that these actions are necessary to uphold the integrity of the selection process and merit must be the sole basis of recruitment in government services.

"This is the sole reason why UPSC, for the past 100 years, has been a model of merit and a fair system, and candidates from any stratum can become selected, purely on the basis of merit, as per the selection process," he furthered.

Last year, the UPSC had taken a number of steps against former ex-probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, including filing a criminal case, after discovering that she had allegedly misrepresented herself to sit for the civil services exam. She is charged with fraudulently availing herself of benefits under the Other Backward Class (OBC) and disability reservations in order to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

Mangaluru student, Remona Pereira, a final-year Bachelor of Arts student at St. Aloysius College, set a new world record by performing Bharatanatyam continuously for 170 hours over seven days. This record performance was held at the college’s Robert Sequeira Hall, which surpassed the previous record of 127 hours of marathon dance and has been officially recognised by the Golden Book of World Records.

Remona’s record is an inspirational achievement on a global scale. Her 170-hour continuous dance performance not only exemplifies physical endurance but also showcases her deep commitment to the classical Indian dance form.

Remona trained as a Bharatanatyam dancer for 13 years and decided to set a record. She prepared to take this challenge for several years before finally attempting it in 2025. She balanced rigorous daily dance training of five to six hours alongside her academic studies to qualify for this record attempt.

The event was closely observed and verified by officials from the Golden Book of World Records and documented comprehensively on camera to ensure authenticity. St. Aloysius College’s administration, faculty, and student body rallied behind Remona, offering unwavering support and expressing immense pride in her unprecedented accomplishment.

The performance required Remona to stick to a strict diet so that she ate only light and nutritious food, which consisted of bananas, curd, tender coconut water, and well-cooked soft rice; during the performance, she also took scheduled 15-minute breaks after every three hours. This carefully designed dietary regime was practised for months before the attempt to maintain her energy and health.

A dedicated medical team, including doctors and ambulance staff, monitored Remona’s well-being throughout the seven-day endurance test, ensuring her safety during the grueling performance.

Performing many styles of Bharatanatyam and improvising to recorded music throughout the record-breaking duration, Remona proved that she is a versatile artist with the skills to touch even the most unconventional audience and put forward her passion and devotion to her art form. 

This unique achievement not only pays tribute to the personal effort of Remona Pereira but also brings Bharatanatyam under the spotlight as a vibrant and timeless classical dance form. However, when the news surfaced on the internet, the general public had mixed reactions; some called it unnecessary, while others were left stunned. Nonetheless, the community and dance lovers in Mangaluru and across the world are praising her as a role model to the budding artists.

This follows a deadly collapse of a government school building in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district on July 25 that killed seven children and injured 28 others.

The Ministry of Education has instructed all Union Territories and states to conduct compulsory safety inspections at schools and other child-related public buildings. The action is in accordance with the National Disaster Management Guidelines for School Safety and follows after several incidents occurred, killing a number of individuals.

Then comes the news of a devastating collapse of a government school building in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district on July 25, claiming the lives of seven children and injuring 28 others.

All schools and public buildings utilized by children and youth shall be subjected to safety inspections in conformity with the national safety codes and the disaster management guidelines. The structural safety coupled with fire protection, emergency doors and electrical installations shall be carefully checked," the directive noted.

The ministry also stated that schools must be ready for emergencies such as fire or natural disasters.

"Collaborations with the local authorities (NDMA, fire services, police and medical agencies) need to be enhanced for regular training and mock drills. In addition to physical safety, mental well-being and emotional well-being through counseling services, peer-support mechanisms and community involvement need to be ensured," the directive further said.

This will involve evacuation drills, first aid and the creation of mechanisms to enable students' emotional well-being.

24-hour reporting rule and accountability

The ministry has made reporting of any incident or situation with potential danger to children compulsory within a span of 24 hours to the concerned state authorities.

It has also requested that state governments rectify responsibility in instances of delay, inaction, or negligence. Parents, guardians, community leaders and local bodies have been requested to be on their guard and report unsafe schools, public areas, and transport used by children.

Recent school collapse incidents

Only days after the Jhalawar collapse, the roof of a government school in Karthikappally, Alappuzha, collapsed on July 21. On July 18, one person was killed and another trapped as a portion of a school roof collapsed in Ranchi, Jharkhand.