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Daily Mains Question – GS 2 – 31st July 2025

  • Writer: TPP
    TPP
  • Jul 31
  • 4 min read
Daily Mains Question – GS 2 – 31st July 2025

Welcome to your daily Mains Model Answer—crafted to unpack the evolving landscape of education reform in India, a core theme under Governance and Social Justice in GS Paper 2. Today’s question delves into the structural transformation introduced by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with a specific focus on the implementation of the 5+3+3+4 school framework.

As India aims to build an equitable, inclusive, and future-ready education system, the NEP’s shift from the traditional 10+2 model to a learning-centric 5+3+3+4 structure represents a foundational realignment. Anchored in the vision of universal early childhood care and foundational literacy, this reform aspires to align India’s education architecture with global developmental goals such as SDG 4. However, while the policy framework is ambitious and well-articulated, the real test lies in its on-ground translation—making this a critical topic for examination under governance, policy implementation, and social development in GS Paper 2.

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QUESTION

"The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has introduced a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure aimed at transforming foundational and school education in India. Critically evaluate the progress made so far in implementing these structural reforms on the ground. What challenges remain, and what measures are necessary to ensure the policy’s objectives are fully realized?"

Answer: Education serves as the cornerstone of a just, equitable, and progressive society. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is India’s first comprehensive education policy of the 21st century, aiming to reorient the country's education system in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4): "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all" by 2030.


One of the most transformative features of NEP 2020 is the replacement of the 10+2 schooling system with a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, placing foundational and early childhood education at the center of learning reforms.


Implementation of the 5+3+3+4 Structure: Progress and Ground Realities


1. Structural Overhaul: Redefining School Stages

  • The policy replaces the existing 10+2 model with the Foundational (5 years), Preparatory (3 years), Middle (3 years), and Secondary (4 years) stages.

  • In 2023, the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) laid out stage-specific competencies, pedagogy, and learning outcomes.


2. Focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

  • NEP aims to make ECCE universal by 2030.

  • NCERT’s “Jaadui Pitara” kits, designed to promote play-based learning, have been deployed across anganwadis and pre-primary schools.

  • The Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued a National ECCE Curriculum Framework, integrating learning across nutrition, health, and cognitive development.


3. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN): NIPUN Bharat

  • Launched in 2021, NIPUN Bharat Mission targets universal FLN by Grade 3 by 2026-27.

  • A government assessment revealed average language proficiency at 64% and math at 60%, indicating partial success with significant ground yet to cover.


Supporting Ecosystem Reforms and Tools


1. Assessment and Credit Reforms

  • The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and National Credit Framework (NCrF) facilitate academic mobility and lifelong learning.

  • The system enables students to earn digital credits and receive certificates (after 1 year), diplomas (after 2 years), or degrees (after 4 years), encouraging flexibility.


2. Entrance and Evaluation Reforms

  • The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), introduced in 2022, streamlines undergraduate admissions and aims to reduce dependence on school board marks.

  • CUET promotes objectivity, standardisation, and inclusivity, though its implementation has faced operational challenges.


3. Globalisation of Indian Education

  • Indian higher education institutions have begun setting up overseas campuses (e.g., in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Zanzibar), in line with NEP's vision of internationalisation.

  • Conversely, foreign universities such as the University of Southampton have started operations in India, particularly in GIFT City, Gujarat.


Challenges and Resistance in Ground-Level Implementation


1. Language Policy Resistance

  • The three-language formula has met resistance in states like Tamil Nadu, which continue with a two-language model, fearing linguistic imposition.


2. Institutional and Federal Frictions

  • States like Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu have expressed concerns over centralisation and refused to implement schemes like PM-SHRI schools that require adherence to NEP.


3. Delay in Teacher Education Reforms

  • The National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE), due in 2021, is still awaited, hindering the development of a standardised approach to teacher training.


4. Infrastructural and Human Resource Gaps

  • Effective implementation of ECCE and FLN missions requires well-trained educators, curriculum alignment, and digital and physical infrastructure, particularly in rural and aspirational districts.


Conclusion

The NEP 2020 targets increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035, while also strengthening early learning outcomes. Towards this:

  • Initiatives such as the upcoming PM VidyaLakshmi Scheme (from Nov 2024) aim to offer collateral-free educational loans, with a budget of ₹3,600 crore (2024–2031), potentially benefitting 22 lakh students annually, with special focus on marginalised sections.

While significant strides have been made in policy-level transformation, on-ground execution remains uneven. For NEP’s structural vision to fully materialise, stronger centre-state cooperation, teacher capacity building, and robust monitoring mechanisms are essential.

 

Way Forward

  • Prioritise teacher education and release NCFTE to support capacity at the foundational level.

  • Promote collaborative federalism to address linguistic and administrative concerns of states.

  • Invest in community engagement, technology integration, and inclusive infrastructure to ensure equity and quality in foundational education.

NEP 2020, if implemented with fidelity, holds the promise of transforming India into a knowledge society rooted in constitutional values, innovation, and global competitiveness.

 

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