Ans. Education is the foundation of a nation’s growth and a critical tool for empowering its youth. In a rapidly changing global landscape driven by technology, innovation, and multidisciplinary knowledge, India’s education system must evolve to prepare its young population for twenty-first-century challenges. Recognising this need, the Indian government has undertaken several transformative measures, particularly through the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, to modernise the education sector in alignment with global standards.

Government Measures for Modernising the Education Sector

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
1. Introduces a comprehensive reform from early childhood care to higher education.
2. Focuses on holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary learning, catering to 21st-century needs.
3. Replaces the old 10+2 structure with a 5+3+3+4 system to reflect child development stages.
Curriculum and Pedagogical Reforms
1. Launch of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for school education.
2. Emphasis on experiential learning, critical thinking, and reduced syllabus focusing on core concepts.
3. Introduction of easier and competency-based Board exams to reduce rote learning.
Digital Learning Infrastructure
1. Expansion of digital platforms such as PM e-Vidya, DIKSHA, and SWAYAM to provide equitable online education access.
2. Promotion of multilingual content to ensure inclusivity in digital education.
National Credit Framework (NCrF)
1. Enables seamless mobility between academic and vocational education.
2. Allows students to learn multiple disciplines simultaneously and accumulate credits throughout their educational journey.
Research and Innovation Ecosystem
1. Establishment of R&D cells in over 6,000 higher education institutions.
2. Creation of Research Parks and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to boost scientific research and innovation.
3. Patent filings have doubled — from 40,000 in 2014 to over 80,000 today — indicating a thriving innovation environment.
Global Integration and Institutional Reform
1. Proposal to open Indian higher education to foreign universities.
2. Rationalisation of regulatory bodies — merger of UGC and AICTE for streamlined governance.
3. Launch of the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme to provide nationwide access to premium research journals.
Higher Education Reform
1. Introduction of four-year multidisciplinary undergraduate programmes with multiple exit options.
2. Abolition of the MPhil programme to align with global standards.
3. Encouragement of interdisciplinary studies, internships, and skill-based learning.
Focus on Skill Development
1. Integration of vocational education from school level to enhance employability.
2. Emphasis on coding, AI, and digital literacy from early grades.

The Indian government’s efforts toward modernising the education system reflect a strong commitment to preparing a future-ready youth. With initiatives ranging from curriculum overhaul and digital education to research promotion and global integration, the education landscape in India is undergoing a significant transformation. As the Prime Minister rightly said, India’s youth today are “ready, disruptive, and transformative,” and educational institutions are evolving into innovation-driven campuses. These reforms are not only critical for individual development but also for positioning India as a global knowledge hub in the 21st century.

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