Understanding NEP 2020: A Simple Guide for Students & Educators

What is NEP 2020?
A simple, student-friendly explanation of the National Education Policy 2020 — what it changes in schools and colleges, what “Multiple Entry & Exit” really means, and how learning in India is evolving.

Introduction: Why NEP 2020 Was Needed

NEP 2020 was approved by the Government of India and released as a guiding framework for national education reform.

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) is a long-term vision document that sets a new direction for how education in India should develop in the 21st century.

For more than three decades, India followed the 1986 education policy. During this time, the world changed rapidly — careers became multidisciplinary, technology reshaped work, and learning needs evolved.

NEP 2020 aims to address three major challenges:

• Rote Learning: Studying only to pass exams, not to understand.
• Rigid Subject Boundaries: Limited flexibility between Arts, Commerce, and Science.
• Dropout Loss: Students losing academic value if they had to discontinue college mid-way.

1. The New School Structure: 5+3+3+4

NEP 2020 reorganizes the earlier 10+2 system into a 5+3+3+4 structure, based on how children learn at different ages. This does not add extra years of schooling.

2. Early Childhood Education (ECCE): Learning Starts Before Class 1

One of the biggest changes under NEP 2020 is that learning officially begins at age 3, not from Class 1.

Children between 3 to 6 years learn through Anganwadis, pre-schools, and preparatory classes.

Important point: There are no exams at this stage; assessment is based on observation and play.

Example:
A 4-year-old child is not taught from textbooks. Instead, learning happens through:

• Stories and rhymes to develop language
• Games to understand numbers and shapes
• Drawing and play to develop motor skills
• Group activities to learn sharing and behaviour

This strong foundation helps children read, write, and understand better when they reach primary classes.

3. Foundational Literacy & Numeracy: The Core Mission

NEP 2020 clearly states that no education reform can succeed unless students can read with understanding, write clearly, and perform basic mathematics.

That is why the policy gives the highest priority to Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), with a national mission to ensure that students achieve these skills by Grade 3.

4. Assessment Reforms in School Education

NEP 2020 aims to reduce the pressure of exams and focus more on actual learning.

Instead of judging students only by one final exam, schools are encouraged to use continuous assessment.

Example:
Earlier, a student’s entire result might depend on one exam at the end of the year.

Under NEP 2020, a student may be assessed through:

• Classroom participation
• Short tests and quizzes
• Projects and assignments
• Practical work and presentations

This system helps teachers understand where a student is struggling and improve learning during the year itself — instead of after the exam.

Board exams are also expected to slowly move toward testing understanding and application, not memorization.

5. Higher Education: What Changes in Colleges

A. Multiple Entry & Exit (With Safeguards)

NEP 2020 allows universities to offer multiple exit options during a degree programme, subject to university regulations.

These exit options are designed mainly for higher education flexibility and do not mean that students are encouraged to leave their degree midway.

• After 1 year – Certificate
• After 2 years – Diploma
• After 3 years – Bachelor’s Degree
• After 4 years – Bachelor’s Degree with Research

These exits are not automatic. They depend on credits earned and university rules.

B. Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)

Credits earned by students may be stored digitally in an Academic Bank of Credits. If a student pauses studies, previously earned credits can be used later, within permitted limits.

C. Annual System vs Semester System

Traditionally, many Indian universities followed the Annual Examination System, where students studied all subjects for an entire year and appeared in one final exam.

Under the New Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), higher education is encouraged to move toward a credit-based Semester System, which supports continuous learning and flexibility.

The semester system works closely with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), where each cleared paper earns credits that can be accumulated over time.

Internal assessment components such as attendance or assignments are defined by individual colleges as per university rules.

Important Note:
The shift from annual to semester system is implemented by individual universities and State authorities. Some universities have fully adopted it, while others are in transition.

6. Flexible Subject Choices

One of the most important changes under NEP 2020 is the removal of hard barriers between subject streams.

Example:
Earlier, a Commerce student who was interested in Physics could not study it because it belonged to the Science stream.

Under NEP 2020, students can combine subjects across disciplines.

For example, a student may study Physics along with Music or Economics, depending on institutional offerings, creating a personalized learning path.

7. Vocational Education and Practical Skills Under NEP 2020

NEP 2020 recognizes that education should prepare students for real life and real work, not only for exams.

Students are given early exposure to practical and vocational skills, without forcing them to choose a career too early.

Example:
A student in Class 7 may spend a few days learning:

• Basic computer skills
• Gardening or simple electrical work
• Pottery, carpentry, or local crafts
• Basic financial or life skills

This does not mean the student is leaving academic studies. It simply helps them understand different skills and career options.

NEP 2020 removes the old idea that “vocational” education is inferior to academic education.

8. Promotion of Indian and Regional Languages

NEP 2020 strongly supports education in Indian and regional languages, not only English and Hindi.

• Learning in the mother tongue or regional language is encouraged, especially in early education. This is an encouragement, not a compulsion.
• Higher education institutions are supported in offering courses in Indian languages
• Knowledge is made accessible to a wider group of learners

This includes languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and many others.

For students studying in Hindi and regional languages, NEP 2020 opens the door to higher education without language becoming a barrier to understanding concepts.

9. A Note on Implementation

While NEP 2020 emphasizes skill development and practical learning, implementation is gradual.

• Many universities are still in the transition phase
• Skill-based and practical elements are being introduced step by step

This phased approach reflects the reality of large-scale education reform.

10. Digital and Online Learning Under NEP 2020

NEP 2020 recognizes the growing role of technology and digital learning in expanding access to quality education.

• Blended learning combining classroom teaching with digital resources is encouraged
• Online platforms and digital repositories support teachers and students
• Digital tools help in reaching learners across regions and languages

At the same time, NEP 2020 clearly emphasizes that technology is a support system, not a replacement for teachers, textbooks, or classroom learning.

11. Assessment in Higher Education (Semester & Credit-Based System)

This section focuses mainly on assessment in higher education, especially under the semester and credit-based system.

NEP 2020 proposes a gradual shift in assessment methods — from exams that mainly test memorization to assessments that focus on understanding, application, and overall student development.

• Greater emphasis on concept clarity rather than rote learning
• Use of internal assessments, projects, presentations, and assignments alongside written exams
• Encouragement of continuous and formative evaluation during the academic year
• Assessment methods designed to reduce exam pressure and promote meaningful learning

In school education, NEP 2020 supports competency-based evaluation that helps teachers understand how well students have grasped key concepts.

In higher education, assessment systems are expected to align with the credit-based semester structure, where students earn credits for successfully completing courses and assessments.

Overall, NEP 2020 emphasizes that assessment should support learning and improvement — not just rank students based on exam performance.

Example: How Assessment Works in a Semester System

Under NEP 2020, assessment in many universities is designed to evaluate students throughout the semester — not only through one final exam.

In several colleges, a theory paper may follow this general structure:

• Internal Assessment: Around 20 marks (conducted by the college)
• End-Semester Examination: Around 80 marks (conducted by the university)

Note: The exact marks distribution (such as 70/30 or 75/25) may vary by university, course, or paper. Students should always refer to their official syllabus.

Example: Hindi Literature Paper (Total 100 Marks)

• Student A: Regular attendance and assignments submitted → 18/20 internal marks
• Student B: Poor attendance and no assignments → 0/20 internal marks

Final Result:

• Student A: 50/80 (exam) + 18 (internal) = 68 marks
• Student B: 60/80 (exam) + 0 (internal) = 60 marks

Key takeaway:
Internal assessment provides students with a steady and reliable opportunity to improve their final results through consistent participation and academic engagement.

12. Teachers and Teaching Methods Under NEP 2020

NEP 2020 clearly states that teachers are the most important part of education reform. Even the best syllabus cannot help students if teaching remains weak or unclear.

Under NEP 2020, classroom teaching is expected to slowly shift from only writing notes on the board to explaining ideas, asking questions, and encouraging discussion.

Example:
Earlier, a teacher might dictate answers and ask students to memorize them for exams.

Under NEP 2020, the same teacher is encouraged to:

• Explain the concept in simple language
• Give real-life examples
• Ask students “why” and “how” questions
• Encourage students to ask doubts freely

This change also affects textbooks — books now need to explain concepts clearly, not just list answers.

A Publisher’s Perspective: Why Textbooks Matter Now

For publishers, NEP 2020 highlights the importance of high-quality, syllabus-aligned textbooks.

At Panchsheel Prakashan, we design and update our textbooks to align with NEP 2020 by focusing on:

• Updated syllabus: Books aligned with new semester patterns
• Concept clarity: Reduced rote learning and improved understanding
• Language accessibility: High-quality academic content in Hindi and other Indian languages

Textbooks act as a bridge between education policy and classroom learning.

Why NEP 2020 Is Important Today

Modern careers often combine knowledge from multiple fields.

Example:
An entrepreneur who studies Commerce along with a computer-related subject may find it easier to build a business that combines finance and technology. Such combinations were difficult under earlier rigid education structures.

NEP 2020 encourages interdisciplinary learning and adaptability.

Conclusion

The National Education Policy 2020 provides a roadmap for a more flexible, inclusive, and future-ready education system in India. By introducing a new school structure, flexible subject choices, support for Indian languages, and multidisciplinary learning, NEP 2020 empowers students to explore their interests more freely.

Looking for NEP-Aligned Study Material?

Explore our latest collection of academic textbooks developed as per the new semester system and NEP 2020 guidelines:

Browse NEP-Aligned Textbooks →

Note: NEP 2020 is a policy framework. Actual implementation may vary by university, state, and academic year.

👉 यह लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें


NEP 2020 को समझें: छात्रों और शिक्षकों के लिए एक सरल मार्गदर्शिका