Impact of New Education Policy on Higher Education in India and its highlights.

In light of the issues brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of India's New Education Policy (NEP 2020) was a welcome move and a piece of fresh news. Many education professionals never anticipated the adjustments that NEP 2020 has suggested.

To encourage education among Indians, the government of India formulated the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP). The National Education Policy is an important document that outlines the vision and mission of the government. In both rural and urban India, the policy encompasses education from pre-kindergarten to college. The first NEP was introduced by Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi in 1968, the second by Rajiv Gandhi in 1986, and the third by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020.

Highlights of NEP related to higher education:

The goal of the newly proposed NEP is to formally implement systemic reforms from the school level to the college/university level. Education content moving forward will concentrate on key concepts, ideas, applications, and problem-solving stances in light of the evolving situation. The country's higher education system is anticipated to have good and long-lasting effects as a result of the National Education Policy 2020.

1. Establishment of International colleges:

The government's decision to permit international colleges to establish campuses in India is an admirable one. This will enable the children to benefit from a local education that is of a high international standard. The introduction of multidisciplinary institutions will result in a renewed emphasis on all academic disciplines, including the arts and humanities, and this method of instruction will support students' holistic learning and development. Students will therefore possess a stronger knowledge basis.

2. Universal entrance test

Another constructive measure that will lessen the pressure of having to prepare for so many difficult tests is the implementation of a single universal entrance test. Additionally, it will guarantee future student applicants an equal playing field.

3. Academic Bank of Credit

A solid proposal for storing the academic credits that students receive from taking classes at several reputable higher education institutions is to establish an Academic Bank of Credit (ABC). By successfully completing a course, a student can earn scores, which are then added to their ABC account. These credits can then be transferred if a student decides to transfer to another college. These credits will be preserved if a student ever withdraws for any reason, allowing the student to pick up where they left off when they return years later.

4. Higher Education Commission of India

The new regulatory framework for higher education will make sure that various administrative, accreditation, financial, and standard-setting functions are carried out by independent, empowered entities. These four organizations will be constituted as four separate verticals under the auspices of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).

5. Regional language e-courses will be offered

The use of technology will be incorporated into educational planning, instruction, assessment, teacher, school, and student training. Kannada, Odia, Bengali, and other regional languages will join the e-courses accessible in Hindi and English as the first eight main regional languages to have access to the e-content in those languages.

Analysis of NEP’s Impact on Higher Education

1. Regulatory system of Higher Education:

The plan to establish the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as an umbrella organization for higher education, excluding medical and legal education, is a key change in NEP 2020. What will happen to the current UGC and AICTE will typically be raised in response to this. The goal of HECI is to overhaul the higher education industry; the Bill will divide the sector's academic and financial facets. The new Bill states that HECI won't have any financial authority. A single umbrella authority has always been necessary for education standards uniformity, and this has been the dream of many educators. This is thought to be the best course of action for streamlining educational policy. To guarantee the quality of higher education, however, institutions must be evaluated using pertinent criteria, such as research, industry connections, placements, and academic achievement, among others.

2. Graded Autonomy and Graded Accreditation

One of the main components of NEP 2020, which supports a "phasing out" plan from Affiliated Colleges to Autonomous Institutions, is the idea of "empowerment and autonomy to innovate." There is potential for curricular enrichment because of the enhanced flexibility provided to independent institutions. Additionally, it states that autonomous degree-granting colleges might develop into research- or teaching-intensive universities if they so desired with the proper accreditations. More hope is offered by the news that Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs) will be established in the nation. The goal of these schools, which will be comparable to the current IITs and IIMs, is to demonstrate multidisciplinary education to Indian students.

3. More Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education

According to the National Education Policy 2020, a holistic and multidisciplinary education would attempt to develop all human potential in an integrated manner, including moral, intellectual, aesthetic, social, physical, and emotional. In addition to developing well-rounded individuals with critical 21st-century skills in the arts, humanities, languages, sciences, social sciences, and professional, technical, and vocational fields, such education will also foster an ethic of social engagement, soft skills like communication and debate, as well as a rigorous specialization in one or more fields. By 2030, the policy aims to have one sizable, multidisciplinary higher education institution (HEI) in or close to every district.

4. Internationalization at home

The challenge for Indian institutions is to raise the level of education they offer as a result of this policy opening up of India to global universities and colleges. The possibility of opening the door for international universities to establish campuses in the nation is causing a flurry of activity throughout the Indian higher education sector. With more than 900 institutions and 40,000 colleges, India boasts one of the largest networks of higher education systems in the entire globe.

5. The structure and duration of degree programs

Any undergraduate degree at any institution will take three or four years to complete under the National Education Policy 2020 program. Within this time, one may withdraw from the degree. Any educational institution will be required to award the student a diploma after two years of study, a degree after three years of study, and a certificate after one year of study in any professional or vocational course of their choosing. A digital bank of credit for academic results will be established with assistance from the Indian government. This will allow the universities to add the credit to the student's degree at the end.

The policy introduces a wide range of reforms and comes off primarily as a very progressive text that has a firm handle on both the socio-economic climate of the present and the potential of future unpredictability. In its whole, the NEP 2020 addresses the requirement for professional development in a range of industries, from agriculture to artificial intelligence. India should be prepared for the future. And the National Education Policy 2020 opens up opportunities for numerous young aspirant students to acquire the necessary skill set. To know more such updates, you can refer to Educationary.