Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC and former VC, JNU

Three economists received the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics for their groundbreaking work on the formation and role of institutions in a nation’s prosperity. In India, our constitution shaped and fortified institutions like the Parliament, democracy, judiciary and media, laying the foundation for India’s progress.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a transformative framework to revamp the Indian education system to fulfil our young students’ aspirations and realize our country’s progress.  NEP 2020 is deeply ingrained in the values enshrined in the Indian constitution that emphasizes access, equity, quality, accountability and affordability in education. It bridges constitutional ideals and the aspirations of a progressive, inclusive, sustainable India.

NEP 2020 upholds the promise in the Indian constitution to provide social justice by emphasizing equity and inclusivity and eliminating disparities in access to quality education. NEP 2020 guides us to address the educational needs of all disadvantaged groups, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Castes (OBCs) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) aligning with Article 46. Provision of scholarships and educational loans, promotion of hybrid learning, digital learning initiatives, multi-entry and multi-exit schemes, introduction of skill education as part of degree programs and promotion of Indian languages as a medium of instruction focusing on enhancing the learning outcomes to ensure that no student is left behind.

Take two recent examples that are critical enablers of NEP 2020’s vision in higher education – one PM internship scheme for one crore students and the second PM Vidylaxmi loan scheme. Both these schemes, which focus on students from lower-income groups, draw deeply from constitutional values, i.e. equity, inclusivity and economic empowerment (Articles 15 and 16). They universalize and democratize access to higher education. These schemes create opportunities for young Indians to participate in national development independent of their social or financial background—such targeted measures in higher education to uplift the disadvantaged stem from the Indian constitution. The Directive Principles steer the state in guaranteeing socio-economic justice and educational opportunities and promoting the welfare of the people. Both these schemes are practical manifestations of these principles in our constitution.

The Indian Constitution underlines linguistic diversity and endorses the preservation and advancement of Indian languages through its provisions and policies. Article 350A emphasizes the need to provide education in the mother tongue, ensuring that multilingualism is reflected in the educational landscape. The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution includes a list of 22 scheduled languages and is accorded official recognition for their development, aligning with Articles 29 and 30. For instance, as a direct consequence of our constitutional value of elevating Indian languages as recommended in NEP 2020, the University Grant Commission has undertaken a project to produce 22000 books in 22 Indian languages at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The focus of NEP 2020 is to provide experiential learning, skills, and vocational education to our students to train them for self-employment and to seize employment opportunities in emerging areas. This NEP’s priority is in direct alignment with Article 41.

By aligning with the constitutional values, implementing NEP 2020 will lead to India’s larger developmental goals and gear toward building a knowledge-based economy.

Introduction of digital initiatives such as PM e-Vidya and DIKSHA, SWAYAMPRABHA, SWAYAM online platform with thousands of courses and virtual labs, allowing students to do two degrees simultaneously – one in physical mode and the other in online mode and the Academic Bank of Credits will secure equitable access to education, especially those from rural and remote areas.

Following the spirit of the Indian constitution, NEP 2020 emphasizes holistic education to infuse a feeling of fraternity and unity among students while readying them to be global citizens. By blending the Indian Knowledge System and Indian ethos into the curriculum, NEP 2020 advocates sowing a sense of pride and unity in India’s rich heritage.

Indian constitution is dynamic. For example, our constitution provides a mechanism for amendments under Article 368, which allows our Parliamentary system to evolve with time. For example, the Parliament passed the 73rd and 74th amendments to introduce Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies to decentralize governance, bringing democracy closer to the people. Similarly, the Parliament’s introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) demonstrates its adaptability in policy making. Our Parliamentary system, too, showed its progressive outlook when it passed the Women’s Reservation Bill for meaningful gender representation.

Our constitution is thriving and potent due to citizen engagement and strong institutions, including India’s free press and a dynamic judicial system. Our constitution is the pillar of India’s governance and reflects our socio-cultural-civilizational values.

Higher educational institutions must play a key role in imbuing understanding among students of their constitutional duties by integrating readings on duties in their curricula and inspiring students to take pride in contributing to the nation. Let us celebrate our constitution and continue to be driven by it to make India a developed nation and a harmonious global power by 2047.

 (Views are personal)

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