No ‘One Nation, One Education’ Plan, Clarifies Government; Focus Remains on Equal Learning Opportunities Across Boards

The Union Government has categorically denied any proposal to implement a ‘One Nation, One Education’ policy aimed at unifying all school boards into a single national education system. In a written reply to Rajya Sabha MP Ramashankar Rajbhar, Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary clarified that there is no plan to consolidate state and central school boards under one umbrella such as the CBSE.

One Nation, One Education”: Education Ministry prioritizes student well-being

Education Remains a Concurrent Subject — States Retain Autonomy

Responding to queries in Parliament, Chaudhary reiterated that education falls under the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution, which empowers individual State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to make decisions regarding the establishment, closure, or merging of schools within their jurisdictions. Thus, any move to enforce a single national education board would encroach upon states’ legislative rights, a position the government firmly avoids.

‘One Nation, One Education’ Debate: Uniformity vs Diversity

The idea of introducing a common curriculum and a unified board system has sparked debate across educational circles. Critics warn that it could undermine India’s regional, cultural, and linguistic diversity, while supporters argue it would standardize academic quality nationwide. The government's recent clarification aims to address concerns of centralized control and reassure states about their educational independence.

Curricular Parity, Not Board Consolidation, Is the Focus

Chaudhary emphasized that the government’s focus is on ensuring curricular and assessment parity across different boards, rather than imposing a uniform board structure. “There is no plan to consolidate all school boards into one. The objective is to provide equitable access to quality education across central and state boards by aligning curricular standards,” he stated.

NEP 2020 Encourages Contextual School Consolidation

Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the minister highlighted that the policy suggests school consolidation only when it doesn’t hinder access. Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, states are mandated to ensure schools exist within neighborhood proximity, ensuring universal access to elementary education. Consolidation efforts are being carried out by states to create efficient school complexes based on local needs, focusing on improving teaching resources and learning outcomes.

Central Assistance via Samagra Shiksha Scheme

To support states, the Centre continues to extend financial and infrastructural assistance under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, which covers:

• Maintaining appropriate Pupil-Teacher Ratios (PTR)

• Infrastructure development (classrooms, laboratories, libraries)

• Smart classrooms and digital learning resources

• Gender-segregated sanitation facilities

Mental Health & Student Well-being Initiatives

Apart from infrastructural support, the Education Ministry is also addressing student mental well-being through initiatives like Manodarpan, which offers counseling services to students, parents, and teachers dealing with academic stress and exam-related anxiety. Moreover, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced revised curriculum frameworks (NCF-FS and NCF-SE) integrating mental health and well-being as core aspects of school education.