BY FAZILA
1ST YR. BA.LLB. (HONS.)
SHARDA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF LAW
JUNE 2024
Abstract
India’s New Education Policy 2024 approved by the Union Government includes major reforms aimed at modernizing and improving the country’s education system. The main changes are the elimination of the traditional 10+2 structure and a 5+3+3+4 teaching model that emphasizes early childhood education and holistic learning. NEP aims to position India as an international education hub by promoting creativity, practical skills and interdisciplinary learning. It mandates parental education up to grade 5, abolishes MPhil programs and reorganizes higher education under one regulatory body. In practice, flexible subject choices, vocational training from the 6th grade and many exit options from bachelor programs are promoted. It emphasizes basic literacy, numeracy, and technology integration with the goal of reaching 50 percent of higher education attainment by 2035. The NEP addresses challenges such as high enrolment targets, a shortage of qualified teachers, and financial constraints while striving to improve access, equity, quality, and affordability and accountability in education. With these reforms, the NEP aims to ensure holistic development of students, reduce dropouts and support India’s quest to become a global information power.
New Education Policy: Overview
The government has approved a new education policy that will eliminate the 10 + 2 structure. The curriculum was reorganized into five parts: primary to second grade, third to fifth grade, sixth to eighth grade, and ninth to twelfth grade.
The aim of the new education policy is to position India as an international education centre and a major power in the world. Candidates can view the new education policy overview below.
What is the new education policy?
The original National Education Policy (NEP) of the Government of India was formulated in 1986, last revised in 1992. Realizing the failures of the old policy, the government began to create a new education policy to modernize the education system. In July 2020, the Union Cabinet approved a new education policy aimed at making India a global knowledge powerhouse.
In response to the new education policy, the Ministry of Education was renamed. The policy is designed to fulfil the 2020 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is based on the pillars of access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability.
It aims at the general development of students, including sports, creativity and science. Candidates can choose subjects according to their interest instead of blindly following the stream structure.
Objectives of the new education policy
The objective of the new education policy 2024 is to bring comprehensive learning, practical curriculum, work-oriented competence, technology, high-quality education to the classroom. Applicants can examine the new education policy objectives mentioned below.
• Recognize and develop the potential of every child
• Plan children’s literacy and numeracy learning
• Provide flexible learning opportunities
• Fund the national education system
• Strategize for quality education
• Engage children with Indian culture
• Conduct excellence research
• Teach rational management and empowered students
• Develop transparent educational policies
• emphasize the application of technology
• emphasize assessment of student performance
• introduce different languages
• develop students’ creativity and logical thinking
New education policy demand
The new National Education Policy 2020 has addressed the shortcomings of the Indian education system. This brought challenges like memorizing concepts and tables using different learning methods.
The main objective of the policy was to bridge the gap between formal and informal education by addressing the lack of focus on vocational skills and the emphasis on traditional subjects. An attempt was made to answer these questions through a comprehensive and effective education system.
This is how a new educational policy was born, which was about creative development and interest-based learning programs.
Important points of the new education policy
There are several changes in the new education policy implemented in the Indian education system. Candidates can go through the changes mentioned below.
1. Children can start school early
The new system consists of 12 years of formal education and three years of Anganwadi/pre-primary education. The 10+2 curriculum framework of schools will be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 curriculum structure with a primary focus on early childhood education and training (ECCE). Previously, children received three years of free education, which is called pre-primary education in the education system.
2. The mother tongue is a teaching medium
The New Education Policy (NEP) emphasizes the learning of the mother tongue as the main teaching medium but does not promote compulsory language learning. In practice, it is recommended to use the mother tongue as a learning tool instead of making it compulsory.
The home language, mother tongue, local language or regional language is used up to the 5th or 8th grade and beyond, after which the home or local language is taught as the language. The mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction for students was not mandatory in the past.
3. There are no boards of UGC, AICTE, NCTE
Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) is established as a single umbrella body for all higher education in India except medical and legal education. Regulation, accreditation and academic standards are governed by the same rules for public and private HEIs.
The government will gradually give up the affiliation of universities over 15 years and establish a procedure to grant independence to colleges step by step.
4. No more scientific, artistic and commercial streams
The new education policy seeks to make no formal distinction between arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities or professional and academic programs. Candidates can choose between several different specialties for different positions. Students receive internships and vocational training in the sixth grade.
5. FYUP Program Withdrawal and Withdrawal System
According to the new education policy, undergraduate degrees are valid for three or four years and several certificates or degrees are available. Colleges must award certificates, diplomas or baccalaureate degrees after one year of study in a subject or field, including professional and vocational fields.
Credits accumulated at various universities are also digitally stored in the Academic Credit Bank so that they can be transferred and taken into account when obtaining a degree. This policy will implement the necessary adjustments by removing the uniform system and promoting transparency.
It creates a single national agency that oversees the entire education system and ensures common access to education at all school levels. The goal of the new education policy is to offer everyone the opportunity for school education and to ensure the all-round development of students.
It monitors progress and learning ability, allowing students to use formal and informal teaching methods. The policy also provides for vocational courses from preschool to 12th grade and emphasizes the inclusion of trained counsellors and social workers in the school system. This policy goes beyond knowledge and skills.
6. Achieving Basic Literacy and Literacy at an Early Stage
The New Education Policy (NEP) directed states to implement FLN in primary school curricula by 2025. The internship focuses on experiential learning, equipping you with 21st century skills and reducing course content. Vocational training is offered from 6 to 8. classes and training opportunities.
The aim of the new education policy is also to increase the number of graduates. The goal is 50% by 2035 from 26.3%. This is a reaction to the recent decline in the number of students choosing higher education.
The goal of the new education policy is also to reduce student dropout rates by offering several opportunities to obtain higher education. In summary, basic literacy and numeracy skills are important prerequisites for the overall development of students.
7. Standardized improvement of open and distance learning
Distance programs launched by the government correspond to regular courses. The government has implemented initiatives such as online courses, digital repositories, funding for better student services and research, and honouring credits for MOOCs.
8. Technological Innovations in Education
As a free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to improve the academic experience, the Government is launching the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) as an independent body. The integration of technology should improve classroom procedures, enhance professional development for teachers, and facilitate better educational planning for children.
9. Internationalization of Indian education
The new education policy aims to promote internationalization of Indian education. It aims to promote global collaboration between departments and universities. It has launched faculty exchange programs and supports the world’s leading universities in opening campuses in India.
10. Education as a profitable investment
The goal of the new education policy is to unite the central and state governments to work together to promote the educational awareness of the citizens. The goal of the collaboration is to increase the education sector by 6 percent of GDP to improve the education infrastructure of the country.
Challenges of New Education Policy
New Education Policy brought a revolutionary change in the education system of India during this period. However, the new education policy has some limitations. Candidates can experience the new education policy challenges mentioned below.
1. High Recruitment Targets: Designing a new curriculum will be difficult for most teachers as the new education policy aims to double participation rates by 2035.
2. Lack of qualified teachers: India needs a large number of qualified teachers who know the new pedagogy. access for children to effectively get the updated curriculum.
3. Lack of financial resources: Implementation of the new education policy requires adequate funding and resources. Not all educational institutions are able to obtain sufficient funds to implement the new educational policy.
4. Lack of adaptive mindset among teachers: Because teachers tend to share a disciplinary anchoring culture, finding teachers with exceptional skills is difficult. The new education policy challenges educational institutions to employ multi-professional and diversely thinking teachers for the comprehensive development of students.
Exam structure according to the new education policy
Previously, exams were six months and once a year. But now they are counted as three milestones, at the end of 2nd, 5th and 8th grade candidates can pass the new education policy exam structure below.
1. Updated examination structure
The updated educational framework, 5+3+3+4 structure, introduces the modification and adaptation of the traditional education system according to the needs of students. It emphasizes the elementary, middle, secondary and high school stages. Its purpose is the development of a comprehensive pedagogical atmosphere.
This relieves the burden and regularity of assessments that put pressure on children. The new education policy of 2024 aims to lighten the course load on students and promote interdisciplinary and multilingual learning by making significant changes to board exams, focusing on objectively descriptive forms and on a half-yearly basis.
2. The importance of the mother tongue
The new education policy 2023 emphasizes the importance of teaching the mother tongue. A learning tool for 5th grade and possibly up to 8th grade in some schools.
This transfer reflects the linguistic basis of instruction and aims to improve student understanding, teacher interactions, and cultural connections. This policy aims to improve language skills and bridge cultural differences, despite the national debate on English as the main medium of instruction.
3. Interdisciplinary curriculum
The new education policy encourages multidisciplinary and multilingual education. It aims to promote a flexible curriculum that nurtures multifaceted skills and promotes the smooth acquisition of knowledge.
4. Coding and experimental learning
In 6th grade, coding becomes a central part of the curriculum. It focuses on practical and experiential understanding by integrating experiential learning methods. Thus, students are more practical and exploratory rather than overly inclined to theoretical learning.
5. Focus on student health
The new education policy of 2023 increases midday meals. It involves counsellors and social workers to improve the health and mental well-being of students.
6. Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Degrees
A flexible 4-year undergraduate program with multiple options (certificate, diploma, bachelor) that helps students achieve specific skills.
7. No more M.Phil. Courses
The new education policy ends the M. Phil courses in universities and colleges. It focuses on introducing futuristic and career-oriented courses.
8. Higher Education Commission
The new education policy establishes the Higher Education Commission of India to regulate and administer higher education. It proactively focuses on improving enrolment rates and ensuring higher academic standards.
9. Regulatory Councils
The new education policy of 2023 establishes a National Higher Education Regulatory Council that oversees higher education. The Council for Higher Education Grants supports universities and colleges financially.
10. Internationalization
The new education policy promotes international cooperation. This enables foreign universities and institutes to set up campuses and training centres in India, thereby increasing student exposure.
11. Regulation of fees
Both private and public universities adopt regulatory fees to ensure equal access to quality education. Every student gets a good teacher and better learning opportunities.
12. University membership
The practice will be abolished for 15 years when universities gain autonomous status. Therefore, all colleges can offer high quality education.
13. Regional-level universities
By the year 2030, each region of the country will have at least one high-quality multidisciplinary university. The new education policy expands access to education.
14. Multidisciplinary Universities
Indian universities will become large multidisciplinary institutions by 2040 and become places of holistic education. Colleges consist of multi-dimensional high-tech classrooms and diverse curriculum for students.
Conclusion
The New Education Policy (NEP) 2024 represents a change in India’s approach to education, aimed at aligning the system with global standards and modern pedagogical practices. Changing the traditional 10+2 system to a 5+3+3+4 model, the policy emphasizes early childhood education and comprehensive development. Combining practical skills, interdisciplinary learning and flexible subjects, the aim is to promote students’ creativity and critical thinking. NEP’s focus on mother tongue education, vocational training and technology integration underlines its commitment to education that is accessible, inclusive and relevant to today’s needs.
Furthermore, the creation of a single regulator of higher education, the abolition of MPhil programs and the introduction of multiple exits from undergraduate programs underline the political emphasis on flexibility and quality in higher education. The ambitious goal of achieving a 50 percent higher education student ratio by 2035 reflects NEP’s vision of comprehensive education and skill development.
Successful implementation of the NEP, however, requires addressing challenges such as high target numbers, shortage of teachers and financial constraints. Cooperation between national and state governments, adequate funding and capacity building initiatives for educators are central to the implementation of policy goals.
Overall, NEP 2024 is a forward-looking framework that aims to nurture the intellectual, creative and practical potential of India’s youth. It positions the country as a global knowledge superpower and ensures quality and comprehensive education for every student.
FAQs
What is the new education policy?
The New Education Policy (NEP) approved by the Government of India in July 2020 modernized the education system and sought to make India a global know-how. This policy is in line with the Sustainable Development Agenda and focuses on student development, including sports, creativity and science.
What are the challenges in the new education policy?
India’s new education policy has brought major changes in the education system. It faces a number of challenges such as designing a new curriculum, securing adequate funding and hiring a variety of educators to effectively implement the policy. It also requires a large number of qualified teachers who know the new pedagogical approach.
