Education Sector — NEP 2020 and Current Status

3.1 Education Indicators

Literacy:

• Adult Literacy Rate: 77.7% (Census 2011; expected 87%+ in Census 2021 data when released)
• Male literacy: 84.7%, Female literacy: 70.3% (Census 2011)
• ASER 2023: Only 43.3% of Class 8 students can read Class 2 texts in English — learning outcomes remain poor despite enrolment gains

Enrolment:

• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education: 28.4% (2021-22, AISHE Survey)
• School Gross Enrolment Ratio: 99%+ at primary level (near-universal)
• Out-of-school children: Dropped from 3.2 crore (2006) to ~33 lakh (2021)

Government Spending:

• Education spending: ~2.9% of GDP — below NEP 2020 target of 6% of GDP
• Budget 2025-26: Rs 1,24,638 crore (School Education Rs 73,008 cr + Higher Education Rs 51,630 cr)

3.2 National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020)

Released on 29 July 2020, NEP 2020 is India's first new education policy after the National Policy on Education 1986 (modified 1992). The policy was developed by a Committee chaired by ISRO former chief Dr. K. Kasturirangan.

School Education — New Structure (5+3+3+4):

Stage	Ages	Classes	Focus
Foundational	3-8 years	Pre-School (3 years) + Classes 1-2	Play-based, activity-based learning; Mother tongue
Preparatory	8-11 years	Classes 3-5	Experiential learning; introduction of coding
Middle	11-14 years	Classes 6-8	Vocational skills; coding; multiple languages
Secondary	14-18 years	Classes 9-12	Multidisciplinary; no rigid streams; board exams reformed

Higher Education Reforms:

1. Multidisciplinary institutions: Single-stream colleges to transition to multi-disciplinary colleges/universities by 2030 (no more "pure arts" or "pure science" silos)
2. Multiple Entry-Exit with Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): Students can exit with Certificate (1 year), Diploma (2 years), UG Degree (3 years), or Honours/Research (4 years); credits stored in Academic Bank
3. GER Target: Higher Education GER to 50% by 2035 (from 27% in 2021-22)
4. National Research Foundation (NRF): Anusandhan NRF (Rs 50,000 crore, 2023-28) to fund research
5. Common University Entrance Test (CUET): Standardised entrance test replacing separate college admissions; implemented from 2022

Language Policy:

• Medium of instruction in foundational/primary stages: mother tongue/home language/regional language
• Three-language formula continues; no imposition of any language
• Sanskrit and classical languages promoted; foreign languages (including Korean, German, Japanese) available from secondary stage

Other NEP 2020 Features:

• Vocational Education: Starting from Class 6 (currently from Class 9-10)
• No Hard Streams: Students can mix subjects (science + music, etc.)
• No Examination Stress: Board exams restructured; State Achievement Survey; PARAKH (national assessment body)
• Private Philanthropy: Light-but-tight regulation allowing investment in education

3.3 Key Education Schemes

Scheme	Description	Achievement
Samagra Shiksha	Unified school education (pre-primary to Class 12); replaces SSA, RMSA, TE	Rs 37,000 crore/year; 14.7 lakh schools covered
PM POSHAN (mid-day meal)	Hot cooked meals to 11.8 crore children in 11.8 lakh schools	Reduces dropout; improves nutrition outcomes
PM Shri Schools	14,500 model schools upgraded as PM SHRI Schools	Rs 27,360 crore (2022-27) for 5-year transformation
NIPUN Bharat	Foundational Literacy & Numeracy mission by Grade 3	~85% children in Grade 3 meeting basic reading norms (2023)
Skill India (MSDE)	Short-term skill training for employability	1.4 crore trained annually; 40 sector skill councils

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