NEP 2020 funding crosses ₹1.3 lakh crore over three years: While the progress is gradual, gaps persist
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Education, in a debate during the Winter Lok Sabha session on December 16, 2024, provided detailed updates about the progress and financial outlays related to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The questions raised by Captain Viriato Fernandes, MP, centered around budget allocations, expenditure, and the status of the NEP’s rollout in schools and colleges across the country. The Minister of State for Education responded, shedding light on funding mechanisms, state-wise implementation, and infrastructure development.
How much has the government spent on the New Education Policy so far?
The Samagra Shiksha scheme, launched in 2018 and revamped for NEP 2020, has been an essential element for the policy’s implementation. The initiative integrates interventions such as Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), vocational training, and digital infrastructure upgrades.
The funding under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, according to the data, shows a steady increase over the past three financial years. In 2022-23, ₹44,493.94 crore was allocated as the central share for this scheme aimed at implementing NEP 2020. This allocation rose marginally to ₹44,813.41 crore in 2023-24 and further increased to ₹45,830.21 crore for 2024-25. The consistent rise in funding reflects the government’s effort to support school education initiatives aligned with the NEP framework.
Additionally, the PM SHRI (Schools for Rising India) initiative, introduced in September 2022, supplements Samagra Shiksha by creating model schools showcasing NEP components. The PM SHRI schools, which are designed to serve as model institutions for implementing NEP practices. In 2023-24, the first year of the initiative, ₹2,520.46 crore was allocated. This figure saw a significant jump in the following year, with ₹5,921.71 crore earmarked for 2024-25. Here’s an overview of the increase.
The union government also launched the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in June 2023. This centrally sponsored scheme targets underserved regions and emphasizes quality improvements in state universities and colleges. The total budgetary outlay for 2023-24 to 2025-26 is ₹12,926.10 crore.
Key expenditures include:
- ₹540.56 crore disbursed to states/UTs over the last two years.
- ₹119.17 crore released during the current financial year.
NEP in Action: Foundational Literacy, Smart Classrooms, and Flexible Higher Education Pathway
The implementation of NEP involves coordinated efforts across ministries, regulatory bodies, and state departments. The Minister of State highlighted several transformative initiatives:
School Education: Programs such as NIPUN Bharat aim to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy for students by Grade 3. ICT infrastructure, smart classrooms, and vocational education are being prioritised.
Higher Education: Measures include the introduction of the National Credit Framework (NCrF) and automated student IDs (APAAR), along with reforms enabling multiple entry-exit points in academic programs.
NEP 2020: Rising Budgets, Gradual Progress, and Persistent Challenges
The data surrounding the implementation of NEP 2020 reveals a mixed picture of progress and gaps. Over the past three years, funding under key schemes such as Samagra Shiksha has shown a steady increase, rising from ₹44,493.94 crore in 2022-23 to ₹45,830.21 crore in 2024-25. These allocations underpin efforts to improve foundational literacy through NIPUN Bharat, expand ICT infrastructure, and promote vocational education.
Similarly, the PM SHRI initiative witnessed a significant rise in budget, from ₹2,520.46 crore in 2023-24 to ₹5,921.71 crore in 2024-25. This increase reflects the government’s commitment to creating model schools showcasing NEP principles. Additionally, the PM-USHA scheme, launched in 2023 to enhance state universities, allocated ₹12,926.10 crore for three years. However, actual disbursements remain modest, with only ₹540.56 crore released so far, raising questions about implementation speed. Overall, while the data reflects intent and incremental progress, systemic challenges remain.
