Editorial 1: ​​A case of practical, pragmatic and innovative education 

Context

The NEP has resolved doubts about the practical relevance of Indian education.

Introduction

There has been significant focus on the practical utility, job creation potential, and innovation within India’s research and education sectors, especially regarding their ability to compete globally under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The NEP 2020 is a long-term structural reform designed for phased implementation. Its goal is to transform India’s education system by:

• Encouraging innovation
• Strengthening industry-academia collaboration
• Improving student employability through diverse initiatives

The policy works on three key fronts:

1. Promoting originality and indigenous imagination in research
2. Maintaining global competitiveness in education
3. Preparing students for multiple career paths

NEP’s Flexible Four-Year Teaching Programme

• The four-year flexible teaching programme under NEP is not meant to push students into low-paying jobs, contrary to some claims.
• Students can earn certificates and credentials during their studies and return later to complete their full degrees.
• This helps students who might otherwise drop out without formal qualifications.
• It supports diverse career paths with real, recognized credentials.

Vocational Training and Internships

• NEP promotes vocational education and industry internships to give students practical knowledge and improve employability.
• Before NEP, Indian education struggled to provide real-world skills.
• Now, there is a strong focus on industry-academia partnerships and hands-on training opportunities.

Adoption and Impact

• Currently, 167 universities and 59 colleges offer the four-year undergraduate degrees.
• 224 universities and 101 colleges provide multidisciplinary degree programmes.
• A new research internship programme connects students with practical, hands-on industry experience to enhance skills.

Apprenticeships and Support for Diploma Holders

• Diploma holders or students who left degree courses can join apprenticeships within five years of graduation.
• These apprenticeships provide on-the-job training with a stipend partly funded by the government.

Research & Development (R&D) Focus

• 242 universities and 113 colleges have established R&D cells to encourage innovative research skills among students.
• This helps create a vibrant research environment linked closely with industry needs.

India’s Growing Global Presence in Education and Research

• 11 Indian universities are now listed in the QS Top 500 global ranking.
• India leads in the QS Asia Rankings 2025 with 163 universities featured across Asia.
• Indian institutions saw a 25.7% increase in subject-specific entries (533 entries).
• 10 institutions (including 6 IITs and 2 IIMs) ranked in the global top 50 in various disciplines.

Research Output and Innovation Growth

• Patents filed by Indian higher education increased from 7,405 (2021-22) to 19,155 (2022-23) — a 158% growth.
• India ranks 39th overall in the Global Innovation Index, up from 76th a decade ago.

Major Research and Innovation Initiatives Post-NEP

• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act 2023 supports national research coordination.
• AICTE’s IDEA labs encourage idea development, evaluation, and application.
• SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration) promotes joint research projects between Indian and international institutions from 28 countries like the US, UK, Germany, Australia, and France.

Indigenous Knowledge and Grassroots Innovation

• NEP 2020 promotes the Indian Knowledge System from schools to higher education to develop indigenous scientific and educational thinking.
• The Smart India Hackathon fosters innovation at the grassroots level, empowering over 1.39 million students.
• Since 2017, idea submissions in the hackathon have increased sevenfold.

Employment Trends Among Educated Youth and Overall Workforce

• Employability depends on many factors like industry hiring patterns, global economic trends, and post-COVID recovery.
• Employment among educated youth (ages 15-29) showed a decline from 2004-05 to 2017-18, especially for women.
• From 2018-19 onward, employment rates have steadily improved.
• By 2023-24:
  • Employment rate for men: 53.4%
  • Employment rate for women: 22.7% (close to 2004-05 levels)
  • Overall employment rate: 38.6%

Employment Growth Across All Age Groups

• Employment has grown for all age groups since 2017-18, reaching 43.7% in 2023-24.
• Female employment increased to 30.7% in 2023-24.

Shift Towards Better Quality Jobs

• The proportion of regular (formal) workers increased, especially for men:
  • From 17.2% (2004-05) to 24.88% (2023-24).
• Casual labour (irregular, low-paying jobs) has declined, especially for women:
  • From 30.31% to 16.68% for females.
  • Overall decline from 28.85% to 19.83%.

Conclusion

The New Education Policy 2020 has laid a strong foundation for transforming India’s education and research landscape. By promoting innovation, industry collaboration, and practical learning, it has enhanced employabilityand global competitiveness. The rise in quality jobs, research output, and international rankings shows India’s growing strength. Sustainable employment growth reflects the success of pragmatic, skill-based education in preparing a future-ready workforce.