Vice Chancellors’ meet charts roadmap for NEP 2020 implementation

Gujarat: In a significant effort to accelerate the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, more than 50 Vice Chancellors of Central Universities across India gathered for a two-day conference in Kevadia, Gujarat. Organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Central University of Gujarat, the meeting aimed to assess progress since NEP’s launch and strategize future plans to align with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Transformation in higher education since 2014

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, addressing the conference, said that India’s higher education system had seen a fundamental transformation over the past decade. Student enrolment had increased to 4.46 crore, a 30% rise since 2014–15. Female enrolment grew by 38%, with the female Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) surpassing the male GER. Ph.D. enrolments almost doubled, and female Ph.D. scholars increased by 136%. GER among Scheduled Tribes improved by 10 percentage points and among Scheduled Castes by over 8 points, indicating efforts toward inclusive education. He noted that over 1,200 universities and 46,000 colleges now form one of the largest education systems globally.

Panch Sankalp: Five pillars of NEP 2020

Minister Pradhan introduced the five guiding themes or Panch Sankalp of NEP 2020: Next-Gen emerging education, Multidisciplinary education, Innovative learning, Holistic education, and Bharatiya knowledge systems. He urged Vice-Chancellors to follow the concept of “Triveni Sangamam” in shaping their university ecosystems—celebrating the past, calibrating the present, and creating the future. This, he said, was essential for understanding India’s heritage, correcting present narratives, and preparing globally competitive institutions for the future.

Raising GER and putting students first

The Minister set a clear target of increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education to 50% by 2035. Achieving this, he said, would require decisive action in redesigning curricula, building digital infrastructure, faculty training, and promoting multidisciplinary approaches. He emphasised a “Students-First” approach where students are the focus of reforms, aiming to empower them as job creators, social entrepreneurs, and ethical innovators.

Strategy paper for NEP implementation

Minister Pradhan asked Vice Chancellors to prepare a strategy paper for full NEP implementation within their institutions. This would include integrating multidisciplinary subjects, mainstreaming Indian Knowledge Systems, promoting technology-led education, and encouraging skilling and innovation on campuses. He suggested that Vice-Chancellor conferences also be held at individual university levels to promote regular review and implementation.

Perspectives from key stakeholders

Dr. Hashmukh Adhia, Chancellor of the Central University of Gujarat, spoke about the six principles of karmayoga and their relevance in educational leadership. Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary of Higher Education, highlighted that five years after NEP 2020’s launch, it was time to refine the roadmap for building a globally competitive and holistic education system. Dr. Sunil Barnwal, Additional Secretary, spoke about the five foundational pillars of NEP 2020: Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability, and stressed on partnership among all stakeholders in higher education.

Key themes and thematic sessions

The conference included ten thematic sessions covering important aspects of higher education: implementing the National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) and National Credit Framework (NCrF), aligning courses with future job roles, promoting digital education through SWAYAM and AAPAR, enhancing university governance through the SAMARTH system, and fostering equity and inclusiveness in higher education institutions. Other themes included promoting Indian languages and knowledge systems, research and innovation support, improving ranking and accreditation mechanisms, expanding internationalisation under Study in India, and training faculty under the Malaviya Mission.

Wide representation from Central Universities

Participating institutions included the University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Central University of Rajasthan, Visva Bharati, Central University of Kashmir, Sikkim University, Tripura University, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Central University of Haryana, Assam University, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, and others.

Towards Viksit Bharat 2047

As the nation marks five years since the NEP’s launch, the conference provided a platform for reviewing institutional progress, sharing innovations, and building alignment for future reforms. The outcomes of this meeting are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of India’s higher education journey and realising the collective goal of becoming a developed nation—Viksit Bharat—by 2047.