NEP 2025: Latest Updates, Implementation Status & Progress

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was introduced as a transformative vision for India’s education system. The policy aim to address deep-rooted challenges while laying the groundwork for a globally competitive, inclusive, and future-ready framework. Known as aspirational and revolutionary, the policy set an ambitious goal of being fully implemented by 2030-40, giving a preparation period of about 10 years to put all its recommendations into action.

Progress in NEP Implementation: Four Years On

Since its launch in 2020, the National Education Policy (NEP) has driven significant transformations in both school and higher education. Four years into its implementation, key milestones highlight India’s progress toward a more inclusive, flexible, and tech-driven education system.

• One of the major achievements is the introduction of the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS). Along with this, the policy has introduced the Jadui Pitara learning kit, designed for children aged 3-8. This initiative embraces play-based learning, fostering a strong foundation for early childhood education.
• Additionally, NEP has emphasized linguistic inclusivity by enabling AICTE-approved engineering and medical courses in regional languages. National-level entrance exams such as JEE and NEET are now conducted in 13 languages. This is enhancing accessibility for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
• Higher education has also seen a major shift with the adoption of the Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP). Over 105 universities, including 19 central institutions, have implemented FYUP. This provides students with multiple exit options and a more flexible academic structure. 
• Meanwhile, digital and multimodal learning initiatives such as PM e-VIDYA and DIKSHA have furthered educational equity. This offers students universal access to digital content and interactive learning resources.

These reforms mark a steady step toward achieving NEP’s vision of a holistic, inclusive, and technology-integrated education system. However, continuous efforts in implementation and adaptation will be crucial to realizing its full impact across all levels of learning.

Government’s Perspective on NEP Implementation

The Indian government remains steadfast in its commitment to implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) as a transformative reform for the education system. Jayant Chaudhary Ji, Minister of State for Education, recently reaffirmed in the Lok Sabha that NEP’s rollout is a collaborative effort between the Centre and states. Key initiatives such as the PM SHRI scheme aim to establish over 14,500 exemplar schools, while the NIPUN Bharat mission focuses on ensuring foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 2. Despite some delays, the Government maintains that the policy’s full realization is on track for the 2030-40 timeline.

To evaluate and refine the policy’s effectiveness, the government has also facilitated extensive stakeholder consultations through national conferences and workshops. Mechanisms such as the PARAKH assessment framework have been introduced to monitor learning outcomes. The motive is to ensure a more comprehensive review of student progress. Additionally, digital platforms such as Vidya Samiksha Kendra enable real-time data collection, providing insights into educational advancements and helping authorities address gaps in implementation. The government’s continued efforts in strengthening policy execution reflect its long-term vision of a holistic and inclusive education system in India.

Now that five years have passed since its launch, we are at the halfway point. 

This is a good time to reflect on how far we have come,  progress made since the policy was first released and look at expectations from NEP 2025. However, since these changes take time to show results and detailed updates are not always easy to find, it can be tricky to judge the full impact right now.

Key Drivers of Change in NEP 2025: Policies, Curriculum, Budget, ASER Report, & Infrastructure Insights

NCERT is expected to revise the curriculum

The revision in NCERT curriculum for grades 7,9, 11 school will mark a significant shift towards competency-based learning. The National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC), along with the Textbook Development Team, will oversee the creation of new textbooks aligned with well-defined learning outcomes. These textbooks will emphasize self-learning and peer-learning, reducing rote memorization and enhancing conceptual understanding and comprehension ability of students.

One of the key objectives behind introducing new textbooks is to rationalize the curriculum, ensuring students are not overwhelmed by excessive content. The revised textbooks will also focus on enhancing language proficiency and nurturing a creative mindset, preparing students for real-world problem-solving. By aligning with the goals of NEP, this curriculum update aims to make learning more engaging, inclusive, and skill-oriented. This update is expected to be a key highlight of NEP 5th anniversary celebration, reinforcing India’s commitment to modernizing education and making learning more engaging, holistic, and student-centric.

Alongside the curriculum revision, Union Budget 2025-26 is set to bring significant shift in school education and upskilling

Centered around the theme of “Sabka Vikas,” the Union Budget 2025-26 highlights investment in people, the economy, and innovation as key drivers toward achieving the vision of “Viksit Bharat.” To bridge the skill gap and ensure quality education is accessible to all, the Ministry of Education has been allocated ₹1,28,650 crore—an increase of 6.22% over the 2024-25 budget estimate.

Record-Breaking Budget Allocation to Strengthen School Education in India

Of the total allocation, ₹78,572 crore (61.07%) has been allocated to the Department of School Education and Literacy, marking its highest-ever budget. This substantial allocation will be pivotal in strengthening school education and supporting various initiatives intended to enhance the quality of schooling across the country. It aligns with the ongoing mission of NEP 2020, which emphasizes accessibility, inclusivity, and quality education for all students, particularly at the foundational and secondary levels. With an expanding student base of 24.8 crore across 14.72 lakh schools and nearly 98 lakh teachers, these financial commitments will help bridge existing gaps in infrastructure, resources, and teacher training.

Strengthening Higher Education

Furthermore, a significant portion of the budget—INR 50,077.95 crore (39% of the total education budget)—is allocated to the Department of Higher Education.

This funding will drive the growth and expansion of higher education institutions, reinforcing the vision of NEP 2020 to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in secondary and higher education, particularly as India strives towards achieving 100% GER by 2030.

PM SHRI Budget Increased

The budget for the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) initiative has been raised by INR 1,450 crore, bringing the total allocation to INR 7,500 crore. This initiative focuses on upgrading over 15,000 schools in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

While the government’s focus on increasing funding for education is encouraging, the reality remains that public expenditure on education in India still falls short of the recommended 6% of GDP. This shortfall calls for concerted efforts to ensure that the education sector receives the necessary investments to meet the ambitious targets set by NEP 2020. As the NEP evolves to NEP 2025, there is an urgent need to reconsider policy implementation strategies and ensure that these financial allocations translate into effective and sustainable reforms at all levels of education. This will require strengthening public-private partnerships, enhancing teacher training programs, and improving the integration of digital tools for inclusive learning.

While the increased budget allocation, another change that is set to reshape the education landscape is the dismissal of the No Detention Policy

Originally introduced to reduce academic pressure, unintentionally led to learning gaps, affecting students’ preparedness and engagement. Its dismissal marks a shift toward accountability-driven solutions, focusing on addressing learning outcomes rather than just identifying challenges. As India will advance toward NEP 2025, the emphasis needs to be on Personalized Adaptive Learning (PAL)-based digital solutions. PAL is a data-driven tech intervention designed to strengthen foundational skills and make learning more effective and inclusive. It would prepare students to reach their grade level learning before exams through personalized remedial support tailored to their learning needs and interests. 

As India undertakes significant shift such as increased budget allocation and the dismissal of the No Detention Policy—to enhance accountability and learning outcomes, another major milestone in foundational education comes from ASER 2024

The latest ASER 2024 report signals a long-awaited shift in foundational learning outcomes, with the highest recorded improvements in reading and arithmetic proficiency since ASER began tracking data. For the first time in two decades, government school students in Std III have shown a remarkable surge in their ability to read and solve basic math problems. These gains indicate that targeted interventions under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 may be taking effect.

Dr. Wilima Wadhwa, Director of the ASER Centre, said, “While this is not the first time that programs have been introduced to improve learning, what is different is that there has been a systemic national push to improve foundational learning outcomes.” This nationwide focus on early learning, driven by NEP 2020’s emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy, has created a structured and measurable framework for progress. As July 2025 approaches, expectations from NEP 2025 are high. The challenge now lies in sustaining and scaling these gains, ensuring that foundational literacy and numeracy remain at the core of India’s education transformation. 

While ASER 2024 highlights progress in foundational learning, the quality of education is also deeply influenced by the infrastructure that supports it. The India’s 2023-24 School Infrastructure Report by UDISE+ provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements and gaps in school facilities. 

The UDISE+ data presents a mixed picture—while significant strides have been made in ensuring basic facilities like gender-specific toilets and functional drinking water, advanced infrastructure gaps remain a concern. Limited internet access, inadequate technology readiness, and the absence of inclusive infrastructure highlight the pressing need for digital equity. Only 57.2% of schools have functional computers, and just 53.9% have internet access, signaling a significant digital divide. Additionally, nearly 1.52 lakh schools still lack functional electricity, making it clear that infrastructure gaps continue to hinder the vision of modern, technology-driven education. As education policies evolve, budget increases and the Ministry of Education introduces progressive reforms, addressing these gaps must remain a priority to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Moving forward, accelerating NEP 2020 implementation will be key to achieving universal Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2030, with a stronger emphasis on integrating skill-based education. Inclusive education must be promoted through targeted programs for all students, ensuring equitable access to quality learning. Enhancing teacher training and addressing student-teacher ratio gaps will also be critical in improving learning outcomes. These focus areas will likely shape expectations from NEP 2025, where the next phase of policy must prioritize bridging infrastructure gaps, enhancing digital readiness, addressing learning gaps, and ensuring that policy-driven advancements translate into tangible improvements in learning environments across the country.

With National Education Policy now a central pillar of national development, NEP 2025 must build on these advancements to drive inclusive, data-driven, and future-ready education initiatives.

Key Expectations from NEP 2025: What Could Happen?

Integration of Personalized and Adaptive Learning

• To achieve the intended outcomes after the dismissal of the No Detention Policy, expectations from NEP 2025 is to emphasize the integration of Personalized and Adaptive Learning (PAL) solutions in schools. These solutions will help students identify and bridge learning gaps, build a strong foundation, and progress at their own pace. 
• Equipping teachers with the skills to interpret PAL data and using it to personalise their teaching approach
• Ensuring regular assessment of the impact of PAL on student learning to refine and improve implementation.

Revision in ICT Scheme under Samagra Shiksha to Strengthen Digital Learning

• NEP 2025 is also expected to bring a structured and detailed update to the ICT Scheme under Samagra Shiksha. The Ministry of Education is working on releasing comprehensive guidelines to streamline the implementation of smart classrooms, tablets for primary teachers, and ICT labs in schools. These guidelines will emphasize the integration of high-quality teaching and learning resources, ensuring that technology enhances student engagement and academic performance.
• Additionally, a major focus will be placed on student-level data and analytics to enable continuous monitoring of learning outcomes. By leveraging data-driven insights, teachers and policymakers will be able to make informed decisions to improve classroom teaching, personalize learning experiences, and track progress effectively. 
• With these enhancements, the ICT Scheme under Samagra Shiksha will play a crucial role in ensuring that digital learning solutions are effectively utilized to support the broader goals of NEP 2025.

Availability of Region-Specific Content for Contextualized and Inclusive Learning

• While recent changes in senior secondary education have strengthened regional language content, it is essential for NEP 2025 to mandate region-specific digital content across all school levels. This will ensure contextualized and inclusive learning that aligns with students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds, enhancing engagement and comprehension.
• Additionally, introducing an extra language, such as English, can equip students with essential communication skills. This should be done by planning dedicated language learning initiatives such as setting up English Language Labs. This approach will prepare them for diverse workforce opportunities, foster inclusivity, and enhance their adaptability in a globalized world.

Structured Learning Content and Assessment for ECE Curriculum

To sustain the progress highlighted in FLN findings, key expectations from NEP 2025 is to emphasize the need for structured learning content and assessments for Early Childhood Education (ECE).

• Teaching resources given to teachers should be structured exactly according to the ECE curriculum. This ensures consistency and effectiveness in foundational learning.
• Easily accessible and well-organized content will reduce the time teachers spend searching for materials. This allows them to focus on interactive and engaging teaching methods.

Comprehensive Experiential Teacher Training Programs to ensure effective implementation of digital and 21st century teaching methods

For the successful integration of technology such as ICT labs, smart classrooms, and other digital solutions, teachers must be thoroughly trained in using it. This includes understanding how to operate the tools, effectively incorporate them into their teaching methodologies, and allocate dedicated time slots within the timetable for blended learning.

• To ensure that technology-integrated classrooms achieve their intended learning outcomes, NEP 2025 is expected to mandate Experiential Teacher Training Programs. Every teacher should be required to participate in this after implementing any 21st-century classroom technology in their school. 
• These hands-on training programs will equip teachers with the necessary skills and will also motivate them to regularly use digital solutions. 
• Additionally, such programs will contribute to teachers’ continuous professional development (CPD), keeping them updated with evolving pedagogical strategies and technological advancements.

Community-Based Learning Initiatives to involve parents and local stakeholders in education

There are still many students who remain unenrolled in schools due to a lack of awareness about the long-term benefits of education. Community-based learning initiatives play a crucial role in bridging this gap by engaging parents and local stakeholders, spreading awareness, and fostering interest among students to learn and grow.

• Another expectation from NEP 2025 would be to strengthen community-driven programs where NGOs and implementing organizations collaborate to bring education to underserved areas. 
• These programs can include volunteer-driven efforts in villages, engaging with students, enabling mobile learning apps on smartphones, and even tutoring children using digital learning solutions such as preloaded learning tablets, adaptive learning on tablets. 
• Based on our experience, these initiatives not only support continuous learning but also improve educational outcomes and motivate students to enroll in schools.
• Our experience with community-based learning programs has shown a significant improvement in learning outcomes among girls of Uttar Pradesh. You can read more about it here.

State-of-the-Art School and Classroom Infrastructure for a better learning environment to ensure equity across all levels

While technology is being implemented in schools, it is crucial to ensure that it is easy to set up, manage, and use.  Thus, another key expectations from NEP 2025 is:

• Establishment of state-of-the-art infrastructure that includes common digital learning solutions across schools. The solution will ensure uniform access to high-quality education for every student, regardless of location.
• Additionally, one smart classroom per grade to enable systematic blended learning. Dedicated smart classrooms for each grade would ensure the regular use of digital learning tools. This will make 21st-century solutions more accessible and comfortable for both teachers and students.
• From our experience in implementing dedicated smart classrooms, they can easily integrate technology into their regular lessons. Teachers can walk into the classroom, play video lessons, give verbal instructions, write on interactive boards, and engage students with ease. This streamlined approach enhances learning experiences and ensures that digital education becomes a natural part of the teaching-learning process. There is need for Anganwadi centers to implement a robust Early Childhood Education Program nationally, realising the framework and guidelines laid by the National Curricular Framework (NCF)

Project-Level Monitoring & Tech-Enabled Assessment

• A significant budget allocation should be made for Robust Project-Level Monitoring. This will ensure comprehensive tracking of implementation and outcomes at every level of the education system.
• Tech-enabled assessment must be integrated with project-level monitoring in all schools where educational initiatives are being implemented.
• This will help maintain real-time tracking of progress, enabling targeted interventions to address gaps and challenges at every stage.
• A well-structured monitoring and assessment framework ensures that no student or school is left behind. Further, fostering inclusive and data-driven educational development across the country.
• Enabling an NEP aligned Educational app for school students with NCERT content for learning and a Smart class app with integrated monitoring and reporting could be useful solution. Learn more about K12 learning app, self study app and CBSE study app.

Based on our nearly 8 years of experience working closely with government school teachers and students, adapting to policy changes, enhancing learning outcomes, and aligning with budget priorities, we believe these expectations from NEP 2025 have the potential to drive lasting change. What are your thoughts?

Let’s connect to discuss how we can collaborate to achieve the goals of the National Education Policy before the NEP 2025 update is released. You may contact us at +91 7678265039 or share your details here. You can also write to us [email protected]

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