NEP 2020 a Cornerstone for India’s Development Goals, Says Education Minister

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has reiterated the pivotal role of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India’s long-term developmental roadmap, highlighting its significance in achieving the nation's vision of becoming a developed country by 2047—a goal championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing a gathering during the Letter of Intent (LOI) handover ceremony with the University of Liverpool, Pradhan emphasized that meaningful international partnerships and bold educational reforms are crucial to advancing India’s academic landscape. “With a student base of 300 million—including 40 million in higher education—India must accelerate efforts to boost its Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) from around 26–27% to 50% within the next five years,” he noted.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Pradhan stressed that reforming the education system is not merely desirable but essential for India’s emergence as a global leader. “We must fully embrace the NEP and align ourselves with global standards. Remaining insular is not an option,” he asserted.

NEP 2020, which replaced the three-decade-old 1986 policy, aims to overhaul the Indian education system across all levels. One of its transformative features is the flexibility it grants students in choosing the medium of instruction, fostering inclusivity by allowing education in languages that reflect personal and cultural identities.

The policy, crafted through widespread consultations, marks a shift toward a more learner-focused and adaptable education framework.

Pradhan’s comments underline the government's resolve to position education as a key driver of inclusive growth, international collaboration, and national progress in the decades to come.