National Education Policy 2020
Framework for Transformation
NEP 2020, approved by the Union Cabinet on July 29, 2020, replaced the National Policy on Education 1986 and set out a comprehensive framework for overhauling India's education system from early childhood to higher education. Key provisions relevant to the current announcements include: a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure replacing the 10+2 system; the mandate for mother-tongue/regional language instruction in early grades; integration of vocational education from Class 6; and the vision of a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 50% in higher education by 2035 (from ~27% currently). NEP 2020 also called for transforming India's regulatory architecture, including converting NCERT into a research institution.
- NEP 2020 envisages universal foundational literacy and numeracy for all students by Grade 3 by 2025.
- The policy recommends a 6% of GDP spending on education — India's current education expenditure is approximately 3% of GDP.
- Article 21A (inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment, 2002) makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14.
- The Right to Education Act, 2009 operationalises Article 21A and provides for neighbourhood schools, pupil-teacher ratios, and minimum infrastructure norms.
● Tracked since March 27, 2026 · last seen May 08, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes