We must think beyond borders, NEP is the way forward: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently participated in a key Letter of Intent (LoI) handover event with the University of Liverpool, underscoring a crucial step in enhancing global academic cooperation. Addressing the gathering, Pradhan reiterated India's commitment to educational reforms outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He stressed the importance of expanding access to higher education, noting that India currently has a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of approximately 26-27%. The NEP aims to increase this figure to 50% within the next five years.

"India has 300 million students, with 40 million in higher education alone. Our network includes over 1,200 universities and 50,000 colleges," Pradhan said. "Despite this, GER remains at 26-27%. The NEP 2020 aims to double this in five years."

Linking education with India’s developmental goals, Pradhan remarked, “India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy. We are working towards the vision set by Prime Minister Modi to make India a developed nation by 2047. Achieving this requires full implementation of the NEP. We must think globally and shed isolationist approaches.”

The New Education Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet on July 29, 2020, replaced the earlier 1986 policy. Designed to transform India’s education system, NEP 2020 allows students more flexibility, including the freedom to choose their preferred language of instruction. The policy was formulated after extensive consultation with various stakeholders and aims to modernize and democratize access to education across the country.