However, the bill will not encompass medical and law colleges within its purview.

According to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the bill will have three major roles: regulation, accreditation, and setting professional standards. However, the fourth vertical, pertaining to funding, will not be covered by the HECI bill, and the autonomy for funding will remain under the purview of the administrative ministry.

Upon enactment, the bill is anticipated to supplant the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). The UGC currently governs non-technical higher education, the AICTE is responsible for technical education, and the NCTE functions as the regulatory authority for teacher education.

Furthermore, according to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the HECI bill will soon be introduced in Parliament. However, even after its introduction, the bill will undergo scrutiny by a standing committee, a crucial step to ensure a thorough examination and refinement of the proposed legislation before it becomes law.

In 2018, a draft bill titled the “Higher Education Commission of India (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act) Bill” was made available to the public for input and discussion. This bill aimed to replace the UGC Act and establish the Higher Education Commission of India. Upon becoming the Education Minister in 2021, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan redoubled efforts to advance the implementation of the HECI bill.

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The new courses include MA English, MA Telugu, M. Sc Computer Science, M. Sc Environment Science and Technology, M. Sc Organic Chemistry and M. Sc Aquaculture. Admissions for these courses will open for 748 seats depending on ranks of candidates in the Post Graduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET). The university will start the engineering stream courses from the 2024-25 academic year.

Prof. M. Anji Reddy said that there is no shortage in faculty to run these courses. The university will ensure placement from campus for their students through its collaboration with private industries.

The Andhra Kesari University along with 229 affiliated colleges in Prakasam district, got carved out of the Acharya Nagarjuna University based in Guntur, last year. The university has its headquarter in Ongole, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh.

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• IIT Roorkee Convocation – 2023: A total of 1916 will receive their degrees 

• The multidisciplinary approach of NEP will encourage students to explore various subjects and develop well-rounded skill sets

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) is all set to conduct the Institute’s Convocation-2023 Ceremony on 28^th July 2023 in the Convocation Hall at the Roorkee campus for the graduating students. A total of 1916 will receive their degrees in the ceremony which will be chaired by the Chairman of the Board of Governors Shri B V R Mohan Reddy. Shri Dattatri Salagame, CEO, President and Managing Director of Bosch Global Software Technologies (BGSW) will be the Chief Guest for the ceremony.

The 176-year old premier Institute has been leading the technical education in the country. The Institute is also in the fore front while implementation of the National education policy (NEP) 2020.  The institute has recently revised its undergraduate curriculum aligned with the NEP 2020 and aims to keep pace with the global aspirations of the students. It is also in the process of updating its Masters curriculum.

The institute is rolling out the new UG curriculum starting with the new UG students who are joining the institute on August 01, 2023. With emphasis on skill development and entrepreneurship, the new curriculum provides multi-disciplinary and holistic education opportunities to the students in a highly flexible framework as envisaged under the National education policy (NEP) 2020. The curriculum revision philosophy was based on ‘STEPS’ (Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Project-based education and Societal connect). Accordingly, while the institute is offering its students mandatory courses in the cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, it is also teaching the students course on ‘Indian Knowledge System’ and connecting the students with the society through the ‘Community Outreach’ course. As the nation is celebrating its three years of successful implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, the institute boasts of being part of the celebration by creating an education system rooted in the Indian ethos that contributes transforming India. The futuristic curriculum, which was designed through a long and rigorous consultation process and brainstorming sessions with experts and stakeholders, has been seen as a model framework in the technical education system in India while implementing the NEP 2020.

In the new curriculum, the students in all programs will be studying courses on Soft Skills, Tinkering and Mentoring, Data Science, Indian Knowledge System (IKS), Environmental Science and Sustainability (ESSC), Community Outreach (CORE), apart from Physics, Mathematics and Computer Programming.

While, project-based learning has been one of the hall-marks of the new curriculum, the institute also enables the students to develop vocational skills in the collaboration with Industry as emphasized in the NEP 2020. The institute has created provisions for Credit Transfer from other institutes of repute, Semester Exchange program for UG, Masters & PhD students, Joint & Dual Degree Programmes with global partners.

In the spirit of the NEP 2020, IIT Roorkee has created ample opportunities for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary education. The institute offers minor specialization and Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) programs across the disciplines. Thus, a mechanical engineering student can earn a minor specialization in economics. Similarly, multiple departments in the institute jointly offer single program creating an ecosystem for the students to learn from multiple areas being in a single platform. The institute also offers Joint Degree and Dual Degree programs with institutes of repute outside the country.

The institute nurtures inclusive environment for all irrespective of caste, creed, gender, nationality etc. In order to foster the same, the institute has created various innovative schemes in academics such as ‘SAKUNTALA’ (Scheme for Aspirants of Knowledge Under Talent Advancement) Fellowship in Ph.D., ‘Golden Girl’ in Masters & Ph.D., application fee waiver for female candidates & supernumerary seat for female and international candidates. The institute has also developed a robust Exit Policy in the spirit of the NEP and has implemented National Academic Depository (NAD).

In a comprehensive briefing at the event on implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) in IIT Roorkee, the institute celebrates the successful three years of NEP. With the implementation of the NEP 2020, Honb’le Prime Minister aims to have an education system by 2040 that is second to none, with equitable access to the highest-quality education for all learners regardless of social or economic background. This National Education Policy 2020 is the first education policy of the 21^st century and aims to address our country’s many growing developmental imperatives. This Policy proposes revising and revamping all aspects of the education structure, including its regulation and governance, to create a new system aligned with the aspirational goals of the 21^st-century education, including SDG4, while building upon India’s traditions and value systems.

It is also worth noting that the Institute is readying itself to celebrate its annual degree conferment event along with the third anniversary of the implementation of the NEP 2020. Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma, Dean of Academic Affairs, announced that the number of the graduating students to receive the Bachelor’s Degrees is 1,076, while 686 students will receive their Masters’ Degree, and 154 students will be conferred PhD degrees.

A large number of graduating students, guardians and other faculty members will participate in the graduation ceremony which will be chaired by Shri B V R Mohan Reddy, Chairman, BoG. Prof. K K Pant, Director of the Institute, will give the welcome address and present the Director’s report. Prof. Pant took the opportunity to congratulate all the graduating students. In his report, the Director highlighted various achievements of the Institute while briefly dwelling upon the NEP 2020. He expressed confidence that the new UG Curriculum will bridge the gap between the current learning outcomes and the requirements of the industry while adhering to the highest level of quality, with equity and integrity.

While referring to stories of how some students in the graduating batch embraced the unprecedented change and yet stayed positive during difficult times, Prof K K Pant shared examples of how they seized opportunities and exploited the worst to extract the best. He said, “Developing some control over how and what you think is part of learning. A sense of direction and passion are essential to steering through the life. The institute is proud to contribute to the pool of extremely talented work force of the future who will, in turn, contribute to changing the society.” He further added that he is very optimistic about the outcome of the adoption of the NEP 2020.

Prof. Pant expressed that the quickly changing employment landscape and the global ecosystem demand a shift in how education is approached. Instead of solely focusing on the content, he stressed on the importance of teaching students to think critically and solve problems, fostering creativity and multidisciplinary approach, and encouraging innovation in the face of new challenges and opportunities.

This forward-thinking approach of the institute, as outlined, aligns with the goals of NEP 2020, which emphasizes skill development, holistic education, and preparing students to excel in a rapidly evolving world. 

Perspectives of NIT Uttarakhand and Uttarakhand Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on NEP 2020

During the press conference, Shri Ravi Chilukoti, the Regional Director of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in Uttarakhand, shared valuable insights on integrating skill development initiatives with the National Education Policy (NEP) implementation. He emphasized the importance of equipping students with practical skills essential for employability in today’s competitive landscape. Shri Ravi Chilukoti highlighted the collaboration between skill development programs and academic institutions like IIT Roorkee and NIT Uttarakhand, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. His address shed light on the efforts to nurture a generation of skilled individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to the country’s economic growth and development.

Similarly, Prof. Lalit Kumar Awasthi, the Director of NIT Uttarakhand, added valuable perspectives on how the NEP has influenced the academic landscape and policies at NIT Uttarakhand. He discussed the institute’s initiatives in embracing the multidisciplinary approach and fostering a culture of innovation and research among students. Prof. Awasthi also highlighted the institute’s commitment to inclusivity and providing quality education to all, aligning with the core principles of the NEP.

They emphasized the value of joining hands and pooling resources from different sectors, including academia, industry, and the government. By fostering strong collaborations, they can collectively create an inclusive and vibrant educational ecosystem that caters to the diverse needs of students and equips them with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to thrive in the 21st-century global landscape.

During the press conference, Shri Ravi Chilukoti, the Regional Director of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Uttarakhand and Prof. Lalit Kumar Awasthi, the Director of NIT, Uttarakhand, expressed their gratitude to IIT Roorkee for organizing the press conference on their campus. Prof Awasthi acknowledged the institute’s proactive efforts in providing a platform to address the media and share valuable insights on the successful implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and its impact on the academic landscape of India in the near future.

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Chatterjee, who attended the ‘Governors’ Conference on the Role of NEP in Transforming Higher Education’, said NEP-2020 undermines the country’s federal structure and role of states.

He said, “We wonder why a rich language like Bengali has been excluded from the list of classical languages prescribed to be learnt by students of middle school. This needs to be rectified…”

The minister told the media after the meeting, “We have expressed our reservations about certain aspects of NEP in today’s meeting, as they undermine the country’s federal structure and the role of states. Right now, the focus should be on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. There is no rush for NEP implementation.”

At the meeting, he said, “Such centralised policy in a vast and diversified country like ours, if implemented without flexibility with the state government, may not yield good results and may be regressive. It tries to dilute the federal structure of the country, which is guaranteed in our Constitution, by trying to prescribe almost everything centrally.”

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The National Education Policy 2020 broaches some significant changes for the entire spectrum of Higher Education in India and legal education will also not be an exception. The discourse on this subject has become an important one as NEP will change legal education in ways more than one and the institutions imparting legal education will have to make substantial changes in the way it is offered. A major role has to be played by Bar Council of India in incorporating the changes envisaged in NEP to the legal education in India.

Legal education in India is primarily imparted by 3 kinds of institutions,

1. National Law Universities
2. State and Central Universities
3. Private Universities

They offer either a 3-year law program or 5-year integrated law program. This variegated approach of offering combined degrees will be fraught with serious challenges in light of the implementation of the NEP by all these three types of institutions.

NEP stipulates that no professional education institutions will be standalone institutions and has to be converted to multidisciplinary institutions. All national law universities will countenance a major problem in implementing this specific norm as most of them are highly specialised with limited infrastructure and resources. Most of them are provided with initial grants by state governments and simultaneously they are also working on self-financed models to sustain themselves. This move would necessitate that the respective state governments provide support to these institutions financially and help them procure the necessary facilities to become multidisciplinary universities.

Another challenge that will be faced by all institutions imparting legal education is to provide multiple exit options, as of now individuals who have completed their law degree can only practice legal profession after recognition by Bar Council of India. However, now those who exit after one year or two years, either after getting their certificate or diploma will find no career options suitable for their qualification.

Further, the concern is, that in a 3 year law program, the subjects that are taught are only law subjects but when it comes to a 5 year law program, in the first 2 years, most of the subjects that are taught are non-law subjects, so in this case it begs the question how can a student be provided with a certificate or diploma in law after studying for just two years in such a course? Here, the major issue that will be encountered will the arduous task of restructuring the subjects taught, in order to facilitate multiple exit options. Further, most of the law subjects are inter connected and interrelated, giving exit options will lead to a situation where it might attenuate the complete understanding of a subject.

The NEP has caused a profusion of such questions, and the above paragraphs adumbrate only few of them. From my perspective, even though there will be undeniable challenges in its implementation in letter and spirit, NEP is a wonderful policy and will definitely bring a positive impact on the entire education scenario of India.

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Are you happy with your scores?

I was quite satisfied with my board result. Preparing for the exams was fun. All my subjects were of equal interest to me with no subject getting more priority than the other. I enjoyed studying all of them. While choosing my subjects, I was confused between Humanities and Science. My aim has always been to pursue Psychology. So finally I decided I should have it as one of my main subjects.

What subjects did you choose?

In my school, Psychology was offered both in combination with science and humanities subjects. I was inclined towards Social Sciences and had no desire to study subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.  But I liked Biology as a subject. So I took a combination of Psychology and Biology with Political Science and History.

I am indeed lucky that my school offered such a subject combination which helped me focus on my main subject without compromising on my other subjects which I liked equally. In future I am planning to do BA (Honours) with Applied Psychology. My advice to all students is to study subjects which interests you which will help you to score high in your Boards.

Do you like the new way learning during this pandemic?

I finished with my board examinations before the boards were suspended for our year 2020. So, I was not someone who was awarded average marking. So for me, pandemic has been stay at home and wait. Our batch has not attended online classes as our college admission are pending. We are though, looking forward to the new way of learning as we have seen our siblings exposed to the same. But it can only happen after our college admissions are done. We however have a fear of this year turning into a zero year which would be disappointing as we are looking forward to college.

Advise to students who will appear next year for boards?

My advice will always be enjoy and give your best and results will follow. Personally, I have picked subjects which I was passionate about. I had a choice of science with biology or psychology, history, political science with biology. I selected the latter as my school allowed me to do so and I really enjoyed the two years. My results were the result of pure targeted study and enjoying it too.

What is your opinion about NEP?

I am a product of the visionary policy of the NEP as my school had already adopted many of its tenets. I could do cross streaming with subjects both from humanities and science. The NEP has started recognizing other than science subjects and has also included them in the IIT curriculum which is very positive.

What is your aim in career? 

I am passionate about the subject, psychology and would like to pursue a Psychology Degree. I would want to go into clinical psychology and pursue a PhD too on this subject.

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The social circle has been debating on the developmental imperatives laid in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Though a very welcome change for our country that needed a complete recalibration of its system of education that primarily focused on heavy content and rote learning, the policy is yet to be put in practice.

Nevertheless, one cannot deny that the policymakers have rightly identified the need to create a new system that is aligned with the aspirational goals of the 21st century and have highlighted several underrated areas that promise to create new employment opportunities.

New opportunities in agriculture

The NEP 2020 has shed light to improve and encourage the state of agricultural education in India. As per the policy document, agricultural universities comprise approximately 9% of all universities in the country, and enrolment in agriculture and allied sciences is less than 1% of all enrolment in higher education. The policy aims to improve both the capacity and quality of agriculture and allied disciplines to increase agricultural productivity through better-skilled graduates and technicians, innovative research, and market-based extension linked to technologies and practices.

The design of agricultural education will shift towards developing professionals with the ability to understand and use local knowledge, traditional knowledge, and emerging technologies while being cognizant of critical issues such as declining land productivity, climate change, food sufficiency for our growing population, etc. It is high time to incorporate technology and the internet into the folds of agriculture to open up new opportunities. This can be relegated to a secondary position any more as rapid urbanization and changing diets are calling for new ways to process, market, and consume our foods.

The potential benefits of using technology in increasing agricultural labour productivity will help improve agronomic practices by facilitating extension, and will increase farmers’ access to old and new markets, can leverage their bargaining position, and enable them to get a better price for their produce. This will help rural youth by giving them fresh hope of generating income from the farm. Technology will also enhance the processing storage, logistics, and other supply chain issues, allowing employment opportunities to emerge off the farm. The only challenge that lies here is to make these jobs look sufficiently attractive to young and experienced farmers through consistent innovation and public investment.

Technical skills will enhance the market

According to a report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, there are around 121 million unemployed Indians who are currently out of work. Some of the key factors behind this number are the lack of key skills and education among job seekers.

The NEP 2020’s renewed stress on technical education by equipping professionals in cutting-edge areas that are fast gaining prominences, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3-D machining, big data analysis, and machine learning, in addition to genomic studies, biotechnology, nanotechnology, neuroscience, with important applications to health, environment, and sustainable living into undergraduate education is expected to enhance the employability of the youth and also create an ecosystem of entrepreneurs who can provide services to needs of digital India and beyond.

An increased thrust to reviving heritage will push jobs for arts graduates

A third important aspect in our country has been the lack of employing suitable candidates for the conservation of our heritage and culture. There are already hundreds of Academies, museums, art galleries, and heritage sites in dire need of qualified individuals for their effective functioning. The opening of jobs in these sectors will increase students’ passion to pursue liberal arts and culture in higher education.

One of the prime reasons for youth to retrace their steps from taking up their subjects of passion in humanities is the relatively lower chances of getting decent employment. The NEP 2020 recognizes that the knowledge of the rich diversity of India should be imbibed first hand by learners. Towards this direction under ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’, 100 tourist destinations in the country will be identified where educational institutions will send students to study these destinations and their history, scientific contributions, traditions, indigenous literature, and knowledge as a part of augmenting their knowledge about these areas.

Creating such programs and degrees in higher education, across the arts, languages, and humanities, will also come with expanded high-quality opportunities for employment that can make effective use of these qualifications.

Translation and Interpretation will create a new genre for job seekers

One of the revolutionary steps that the NEP 2020 mentions is the urgent expansion of the country’s translation and interpretation efforts to make high-quality learning materials and other important written and spoken material available to the public in various Indian and foreign languages.

For this, an Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI) will be established. Such an institute would provide a truly important service for the country, as well as employ numerous multilingual language and subject experts, and experts in translation and interpretation, which will help to promote all Indian languages. The IITI shall also make extensive use of technology to aid in its translation and interpretation efforts.

With the quickly changing employment landscape, the NEP 2020 documents not just the need to learn but also the methods used for gaining overall knowledge. The policy follows an evolved understanding of education that focuses less on content and more on experiential learning.

To ensure that young learners must be the right fit for the job market, the policy aims to put forth major reforms to bridge the gap between the current state of learning and what is required for the coming age. The policy aims to have an education system by 2040 that is second to none, with equitable access to the highest-quality education for all learners regardless of social or economic background.

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He added that the National Education Policy (NEP), approved by the Centre, is an overarching vision and comprehensive framework for both school and higher education sectors.

“The state government will set up a Sikkim Education Reform Commission to draw a comprehensive policy and strategy in line with the National Education Policy, 2020,” he said. The chief minister also said the government has planned to set up one model school in each district with innovative teaching and learning methodologies.

Taking a cue from Prime Minister’s slogan for self-reliant India, Tamang said the state government will strive for making Sikkim an ‘atmanirbhar’ state and encourage people to consume locally produced items.

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