Simone Lawson
Higher education reforms in India have been implemented to address the challenges of a growing higher education sector, including issues of equity, diversity, quality, and relevance in the context of market-led reforms. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the third major revamp of the framework of education in India since independence, aims to increase the gross enrolment ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035 and bring out-of-school children back into the mainstream through an open schooling system. The University Grants Commission (UGC) spearheads initiatives to align India's education system with global standards, such as the introduction of a choice-based credit system (CBCS) and the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC). The government has also established new premier institutions, such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and undertaken measures to align higher education with industry requirements, such as introducing four-year bachelor courses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goal | To make India a global knowledge superpower |
| Overarching Objective | To increase the gross enrolment ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035 |
| Accreditation | A new accreditation framework and an independent authority to regulate both public and private schools |
| Assessment | 360-degree Holistic Progress Card, tracking student progress and learning outcomes |
| Vocational Education | To be introduced from Class 6 with internships |
| Technology | National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning |
| Infrastructure | Addressing the lack of internet facilities and computers in schools |
| Equity and Diversity | Addressing issues of affordability, gender inequality, and regional disparities |
| Quality Assurance | Establishment of external and internal quality assurance agencies and ranking systems |
| Alignment with Industry | Introduction of four-year bachelor courses to align with industry requirements |
| Research and Innovation | Establishment of the National Research Foundation to promote interdisciplinary research and foster collaboration between academia and industry |
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What You'll Learn
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Focus on Quality Education:
The NEP 2020 emphasizes quality education across all stages, aiming to empower learners and contribute to the country's development. It recommends reforms to ensure quality schools, transformation of the curriculum, strengthening teacher training, and assessment reforms with a 360-degree Holistic Progress Card to track student progress.
Multidisciplinary and Holistic Education:
The policy promotes a shift towards multidisciplinary and holistic education. It recommends vocational education starting from Class 6 with internships and emphasizes the development of both cognitive and social-emotional skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, cultural awareness, empathy, and teamwork.
Language and Mother Tongue-based Education:
The NEP 2020 recommends that the mother tongue be the primary medium of instruction until Grade 5, with the option to continue until Grade 8 and beyond. It also emphasizes the learning of Sanskrit and foreign languages. The policy suggests that students learn at least three languages, with at least two native to India, while ensuring that no language is imposed on them.
Teacher Education and Development:
The policy introduces enhanced requirements for teacher qualification, with a 4-year Bachelor of Education as the minimum qualification for teachers by 2030. It also emphasizes strengthening the recruitment process, making it more transparent, and establishing professional standards for teachers.
Institutional Autonomy and Governance Reforms:
The NEP 2020 recommends institutional autonomy and restructuring of governance in higher education. It introduces the National Education Commission, headed by the Prime Minister, and proposes the formation of the Academic Bank of Credit and the National Research Foundation to improve research and innovation.
Technology in Education:
The policy encourages the integration of technology in education, providing guidelines and support to EdTech companies to develop learning management systems and online platforms. It also establishes the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) to facilitate the exchange of ideas on technology usage in education.
Inclusion and Accessibility:
The NEP 2020 aims to bring out-of-school children back into the mainstream through an open schooling system. It proposes Special Education Zones to focus on the education of underrepresented groups and the Gender Inclusion Fund to support the education of female and transgender children.
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Higher education accessibility
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been at the forefront of executing higher education policies, aligning India's education system with global standards. Initiatives such as the choice-based credit system (CBCS) offer students flexibility in course selection and promote interdisciplinary studies. The Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) facilitates credit transfers and degree awarding based on accumulated credits from recognised institutions.
To enhance accessibility, the government has established new premier institutions, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The introduction of four-year bachelor's courses and the scrapping of the M.Phil. programme aim to align higher education with industry requirements.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. The massification of higher education has widened regional disparities and perpetuated social inequalities. The lack of good institutes in some areas forces students to relocate, adding to their expenses. Furthermore, the unaffordability of education, especially in rural areas, remains a significant barrier, with many parents prioritising their children's income over their education.
To address these issues, India is developing a National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) to enhance the relevance of university qualifications and improve learning outcomes and employability skills. The establishment of external and internal quality assurance agencies and the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) also aim to enhance the quality of higher education in the country.
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Quality assurance and accreditation
To address this issue, India initiated a national ranking process with the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2015. The first results, published in 2016 and 2017, indicated that the top-ranking institutions were mostly public-funded central universities. India plans to support the creation of 20 world-class universities to boost its position in the global rankings.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to increase the gross enrolment ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has spearheaded initiatives to align India's education system with global standards and foster innovation and excellence. The introduction of a choice-based credit system (CBCS) provides students with flexible course choices and promotes student-centric learning.
The NEP 2020 also introduced a new accreditation framework and an independent authority to regulate both public and private schools. This framework focuses on learning outcomes, employability skills, and competencies to enhance the relevance of university qualifications. India is also developing a National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) to regain the credibility of university qualifications.
Additionally, the government has undertaken measures such as introducing four-year bachelor courses to align higher education with industry requirements and promote skill development. The establishment of the National Research Foundation aims to promote interdisciplinary research and foster collaboration between academia and industry. Initiatives such as incubator centres have facilitated a conducive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation in the higher education sector.
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Curriculum and assessment reforms
One significant initiative is the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to increase the gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035. The NEP introduces a choice-based credit system (CBCS), allowing students to choose courses and earn credits, promoting interdisciplinary studies and student-centric learning. The Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) initiative will digitally store credits earned, enabling seamless credit transfers and degree awarding.
The NEP also focuses on assessment reforms with the introduction of a 360-degree Holistic Progress Card to track student progress and achieve learning outcomes. Vocational education and internships will be offered from Class 6, providing practical skills and real-life application of knowledge. This aligns with ancient Indian education, which assessed students on their ability to apply knowledge to real-life situations.
To enhance the quality of higher education, India has established external and internal quality assurance agencies and implemented mandatory accreditation for public funding. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) was introduced in 2015 to improve the global ranking of Indian institutions, with a focus on creating world-class universities.
Additionally, the government has undertaken measures such as introducing four-year bachelor's courses and scrapping the M.Phil. programme to align higher education with industry requirements and promote research and innovation as key drivers of economic growth. The establishment of the National Research Foundation aims to foster interdisciplinary research and collaboration between academia and industry.
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Research and innovation
India's higher education reforms aim to enhance the quality, accessibility, and skill orientation of education across the country. Research and innovation have been identified as key drivers of economic growth and have been prioritised in these reforms.
The establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF) aims to promote interdisciplinary research and foster collaboration between academia and industry. The NRF will support research and innovation in India by providing funding, infrastructure, and expertise to researchers and innovators. It will also facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange between academia, industry, and government. The NRF will also work to address the challenges faced by the research community in India, such as a lack of funding and infrastructure.
Initiatives such as incubator centres have facilitated the creation of a conducive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation in the education sector. These centres provide resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to students and young entrepreneurs, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India's higher education institutions.
The University Grants Commission (UGC), the apex institution for formulating and executing higher education policies in India, has also played a key role in fostering innovation. The UGC has introduced various initiatives to align India's education system with global standards, including the choice-based credit system (CBCS) and the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC). The CBCS provides students with the flexibility to choose courses and earn credits, promoting interdisciplinary studies and student-centric learning. The ABC, meanwhile, digitally stores academic credits earned from recognised higher education institutions, facilitating seamless credit transfer and degree awarding.
In addition to the NRF and initiatives like incubator centres, the Indian government has also established new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). This has resulted in an exponential rise in the number of premier institutions in the country, expanding access to quality higher education for Indian students.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which is only the third major revamp of the framework of education in India since independence, also includes significant reforms in the higher education sector. The NEP aims to increase the gross enrolment ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035 and bring 200 million out-of-school children back into the mainstream through an open schooling system. It also introduces vocational education starting from Class 6 with internships and assessment reforms, including a 360-degree Holistic Progress Card to track student progress.
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Frequently asked questions
The current focus is on enhancing the quality, accessibility, and skill orientation of higher education across India. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a cornerstone of these reforms, aiming to increase the gross enrolment ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035.
The NEP 2020 introduced a choice-based credit system (CBCS) to promote student-centric learning and interdisciplinary studies. It also established the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC), a digital platform to store academic credits, facilitating seamless credit transfers. Other initiatives include the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning and the National Research Foundation to promote interdisciplinary research.
Some key challenges include inadequate infrastructure, such as limited internet and computer access in schools, and issues of equity, diversity, and affordability. There is also a need to improve the quality and relevance of university qualifications to meet employer expectations and enhance India's position in global university rankings.
The broader goals are to nurture a skilled workforce, foster innovation, and promote inclusive growth. By strengthening the higher education ecosystem, India aims to become a global knowledge hub, with a focus on research and innovation as key drivers of economic growth.
