Important Facts
Priyanshu Bhatt May 22, 2025 63K Reads
India is among the traditionally rich countries in terms of imparting knowledge and education, with universities like Takshashila and Nalanda, the oldest university system in the world. Since then, the education system has evolved a lot in India. From Gurukuls to modern schools to online colleges, there have been some massive changes in the education system in India.
In this blog, we will discuss the evolution of the education system in India, from history to the present, and what lies in the future. We will also discuss the changes in the new National Education Policy (NEP) and how it plans to reform the current education system for a brighter future.
The education system in India has undergone a significant change, especially with the advent of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The emphasis has been shifted towards holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary education that is consistent with the 21st-century goals. Check out these newest facts, statistics, and highlights of India’s education policy today in the year 2025.
India is a growing industry in the educational sector and has set various milestones in the upcoming years. India has been an active participant in the UN’s E9 Initiative, focusing on digital learning and bridging educational inequalities, especially for girls. The Union Budget 2024-25 allocated:
Traditionally, education in the Indian subcontinent was mostly for the upper-caste. But over time, it became a right for all, regardless of caste, class, or other differences.
The ‘Gurukula’ system, dating back to 5000 BC, was India’s first education model. A student (shishya) would approach a teacher (Guru) for admission. If accepted, the student stayed at the Guru’s home, helped with chores, and built an emotional bond.
The Guru taught science and math along with Philosophy and Metaphysics. Sanskrit was the medium. The focus was on practical learning, nature, and real-life situations, aiming for students’ overall development, cognitive, mental, physical, and spiritual.
Rather than rote learning, the focus was on human values, empathy, self-reliance, creativity, morals, and ethics, so students could apply knowledge to real-world problems.
This system was replaced in 1830 by the modern school system introduced by Lord Macaulay. It brought classroom learning, cut emotional teacher-student bonds, and stressed Science and Math while ignoring Philosophy, Ethics, etc. English became the medium.
This system evolved and still exists. But the old 10+2 structure was recently replaced by the 5+3+3+4 system, with changes like equal focus on theory and practice, multidisciplinary choices, and digital learning.
The school board examinations will encourage knowledge and application-based learning.
The school curriculum will be focused more on core concepts, and the pedagogy will introduce more practical learning:
The following are some of the important points included in the new policy for school education
The Government of India, in the new National Education Policy (NEP) 202,0 has laid a lot of emphasis on online education as new circumstances require new and evolved initiatives. The recent pandemic and the rise in epidemics have made the necessity of online education very clear.
The government has directed education institutions to leverage the benefits of technology but acknowledging the potential risks at the same as well. The government has asked the existing digital online platforms along with ICT-based educational initiatives to optimise and expand to meet the present and future challenges in offering quality education.
The reason why even the government has been focusing on promoting online education is because of the many advantages that accompany it. It is time that we move on from the age-old traditional education system brought by Macaulay.
Online education sort of breaks stereotypes of the 6 hour long classroom education system. Online education focuses more on the practicality of the learnings received by the students. The emphasis is on acquiring skills rather than just memorising what is written in the books.
The following are the advantages of the online education system in India and how it is important and prevalent in the current times:
Online education in India has touched greater heights in the dynamic realm of education. However, one of the major concerns regarding online education is the validity and worth of online education. Let us tell you that online education and distance education is valid and approved by UGC in India, but one thing that you need to keep in mind is that the university you are applying to has the necessary approvals and accreditations.
Below are some of the major online institutes in India from where you can pursue quality education while getting the highest return on your investment. However, there are quite more, but for now, check out these best in industry online institutes:
Some of the Best Online Universities |
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NEP stands for the National Education Policy. This policy is drafted by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Govt. of India. The policy mentions and describes all the norms, rules, regulations, and guidelines regarding education in India at all levels.
Some major changes according to the new education policy, the 10+2 school education system will be replaced by the 5+3+3+4 system. The policy also has emphasised on the promotion of online as well as open and distance education.
In higher education, there will be an exit policy which will allow students to exit from a degree course at any point in time with a certificate if exit is after 1 year, a diploma after 2 years, and a degree after 3/4 years.
The new structure divides schooling into four stages:
NEP 2020 supports the integration of technology in education by promoting digital infrastructure, online learning platforms, and virtual labs. It also aims to bridge the digital divide and improve access to quality education across rural and urban areas.
Yes, online education is valid and approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, it is important to ensure that the university offering the program has proper UGC-DEB approval and relevant accreditations.
The NEP 2020 promotes the use of mother tongue/regional language as the medium of instruction till at least Grade 5, and preferably till Grade 8, to strengthen foundational literacy and cognitive development.
As of 2024, India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education is 32.5%. The NEP aims to increase this to 50% by 2035.
India aims to have 25 universities ranked in the global top 200 by 2030 and become a top 5 R&D nation. The policy also focuses on promoting multidisciplinary learning, vocational education, and skill-based training.
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