National‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Education Day 2025: Major Government Initiatives Fueling Educational Progress in India

National‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Education Day is a day to recognize the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of India, whose birthday is the source of the celebration. He was very instrumental in the development of education in India post, independence, and the day conveys the nation's ongoing commitment to educate, innovate and democratize access to ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌opportunities.

While celebrating National Education Day 2025, the country is witnessing the transformation of education through various central government schemes that are not only changing the face of education but also empowering students all over the nation. Here’s a look at some such major government initiatives.

1. PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme

The PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme, which was inaugurated not long ago, is a project that intends to open the doors of university education to worthy students. The program facilitates the learner’s access to education loans and provides them with financial assistance if they get admitted to the best 860 institutions all over India. 

The plan which is funded with ₹3, 600 crore for seven years (2024, 2031) is expected to be a good friend to nearly 22 lakh students each year. They will be able to keep their dream of studying going without the money sitting as an obstacle. Besides, the whole process control is online hence a transparent and convenient procedure is ensured to the users, students.

2. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

On 29th July 2020, a significant milestone was reached when the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was introduced in the Indian education system. The policy highlights the artistically creative, life-long, and interdisciplinary approach to education and leaves behind the old way of memorizing facts. NEP 2020 sets a framework for student learning through technology and eventually, the idea of combining technical skills with academic knowledge will make young Indians fit for the globalized market world.

3. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

Motive behind NIRF, started in 2015, was to streamline the ranking system for Indian higher education institutions and to make the list based on factors like quality of teaching, research publications, and student diversity. NIRF set performance, driven standards benchmarks which encouraged institutions to enhance academic quality and their infrastructures thus resulting in more significant accountability and competition in the field of higher education.

4. SWAYAM Plus

SWAYAM Plus is a platform that was launched by the Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan in February 2025 and is made to revitalise the digital learning ecosystem in India. Mainly targeted are the courses aligned with the requirements of the industry. A student is allowed to get a binding credit from an online course. The project helps to bridge the gap between the graduation and employability by exploring the possible relationship between the leading companies and the supply of skill, oriented, job, ready content.

5. NISHTHA Programme

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ main objective of the NISHTHA program is the professional development of teachers and school leaders. Launched in 2019, this nationwide initiative has been catering to the upskilling of over 42 million teachers and school leaders in India. As a result of the program, teachers will be equipped to offer quality education, basic learning will get more robust, and the expected learning outcomes at the primary level will be ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌realized.

Note 

The government programs are a reflection of India's larger ambition to create a modern, inclusive, and technology, driven education system. These reforms during National Education Day 2025 in a nutshell, emphasize the joint target of India, making it possible for each and every student to have access to the learning, the innovation, and the leadership ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌opportunities.