UPSC Mains 2020 · GS II · Q18 · 15 marks · 250 words

National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement.

हिन्दी में

राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति 2020 धारणीय विकास लक्ष्य-4 (2030) के साथ अनुरूपता में है। उसका ध्येय भारत में शिक्षा प्रणाली की पुनःसंरचना और पुनःस्थापना है। इस कथन का समालोचनात्मक निरीक्षण कीजिए।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “The success of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) hinges on the budgetary allocation and proper planning and execution of the critical aspects of the policy as envisaged. Examine”

Saksham GoelAIR 27 · CSE 2021 · 270 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a quotation

"Backed by expeditious and effective implementation in sync with its spirit, NEP could shape the lives of our future generations" - Amitabh Kant.

Body · continuous prose

Advocating forward-thinking and cogent reform, NEP 2020 is an amalgamation of needs-based policy, cutting edge research and best practices paving the way for New India through last mile delivery-embodying Antyodaya.

By convergence of efforts, erasing traditional silos in workflows, dismantling rigid distinctions between curricular, extra-curricular and co-curricular subjects, NEP seeks to revive the glory days of Takshashila and Nalanda-creating a modern yet rooted system.

NEP marks an overhaul of the governance architecture from one based on overregulation and complex and disparate norms to a simplified and cogent structure for efficient resourcing of delivery structures, common standards and norms to boost quality of institutes.

Whereas these objectives are laudable and the policy comprehensive, it faces various challenges - primarily two. One, the implementation at the level of states (given education is a concurrent subject and largely implemented by federal units)

Two, the funding of these programmes. The public expenditure on education is below 5% of GDP

and the infrastructure is already overburned wherever it exist.

Human investments in terms of quality of teachers, upgradation costs to technological infrastructure are also high.

Moving ahead, private investments including involvement of global players is a necessary requirement. eg the policy sets out roadmap for bringing in universities - the likes of Harvard to India. Ed-tech also needs to be promoted.

Close · a way forward

The next step therefore is to set in place the legislative and administrative apparatus for gradual autonomy, privatisation and globalisation of the education sector for a robust and vibrant education sector.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper II, Q18. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.