Salient Features of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

1. School Education

Foundational Literacy & Numeracy: Focus on literacy and numeracy skills in early grades (Grade 3).
5 + 3 + 3 + 4 Structure: Introduction of a new curriculum structure to replace the 10 + 2 system.
Foundational Stage: 5 years (ages 3-8 years)
Preparatory Stage: 3 years (ages 8-11 years)
Middle Stage: 3 years (ages 11-14 years)
Secondary Stage: 4 years (ages 14-18years)
Vocational Education: Emphasis on vocational training from Grade 6 onwards.
Mother Tongue: The medium of instruction up to at least Grade 5 to be in the mother tongue or regional language.
No Rigid Streams: Flexibility for students to choose subjects across disciplines (arts, science, sports, etc.).
Assessment Reform: Shift from rote learning to competency-based assessments and holistic progress tracking.

Multidisciplinary Approach: Focus on multidisciplinary and holistic education with flexibility in subject combinations.
Undergraduate Degree Flexibility: 3 or 4 year undergraduate degree options with multiple entry and exit points.
Academic Bank of Credits: A system for storing and transferring credits to ensure mobility across institutions.
National Research Foundation (NRF): Establishment of NRF to promote research and innovation.
Autonomy to Institutions: Institutions are encouraged to become multidisciplinary and self-governed with increased autonomy.
Phasing out of Affiliated Colleges: Greater autonomy for individual colleges with gradual phasing out of affiliated colleges over 15 years.

Integrated B.Ed. Program: 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree by 2030 to become the minimum qualification for teaching.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Regular training and development for teachers.
Teacher Recruitment & Career Path: Transparent recruitment processes and professional development opportunities.

National Educational Technology Forum (NETF): A platform to use technology for education planning, teaching, learning, and assessment.
Digital Infrastructure: Promotion of digital literacy and e-learning platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM for equitable access to education.
Blended Learning: Integration of traditional and digital methods to enhance the teaching-learning process.

Equity and Inclusion: Special focus on disadvantaged groups including SC/ST/OBC, children with disabilities, and girls.
Gender Inclusion Fund: To improve access and participation of girls in education.
Special Education Zones: Regions with large populations of socially and economically disadvantaged groups will get additional support.

Holistic Development: Emphasis on developing 21st-century skills (critical thinking, creativity, communication, etc.) alongside ethical values, empathy, and national pride.

Increased Public Investment: Target of 6% of GDP to be spent on education.
Regulatory Overhaul: Setting up the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) to regulate higher education, replacing UGC and AICTE.
Single Regulator: HECI to cover all higher education except medical and legal education.