Education & Skill Schemes
Government Schemes · शिक्षा और कौशल योजनाएं
📋Quick Overview
India's education ecosystem was overhauled with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), the first major policy change since 1986. NEP 2020 introduces a 5+3+3+4 school structure replacing the old 10+2 framework. PM SHRI schools, NIPUN Bharat, Samagra Shiksha, PM Poshan (Mid-Day Meal), and EKLAVYA schools are the flagship implementation programmes.
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NEP 2020: Approved July 29, 2020 by Union Cabinet. New school structure: 5 (Foundational) + 3 (Preparatory) + 3 (Middle) + 4 (Secondary) = 15 years of school education. Mother tongue instruction up to Grade 5 is mandatory.
📖NEP 2020 — Key Changes
| Aspect | Old System | NEP 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| School Structure | 10+2 (10 school + 2 intermediate) | 5+3+3+4 (Foundational + Preparatory + Middle + Secondary) |
| Board exams | Only Class 10 and 12 boards | Two semester-style boards; easier, more conceptual; Class 10 optional |
| Language policy | English medium encouraged | Mother tongue instruction up to Grade 5; 3-language formula |
| Higher education | Rigid stream separation | Multidisciplinary; Academic Bank of Credit; 4-year graduation with multiple exit options |
| Regulatory body | UGC + AICTE + NCTE separate | Single regulator HECI (Higher Education Commission of India) |
📖Key Education Schemes
| Scheme | Launch | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| NIPUN Bharat | Jul 5, 2021 | Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) mission; Grade 3 proficiency by 2026-27; 'no child left behind' |
| PM SHRI Schools | Sep 5, 2022 (Teachers' Day) | 14,500 upgraded model schools implementing NEP 2020; ₹27,360 crore investment; 5-year plan |
| Samagra Shiksha | Apr 1, 2018 | Umbrella for school education: SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) + RMSA + Teacher Education merged; pre-school to Class 12 |
| PM Poshan (Mid-Day Meal) | 1995 (renamed 2021) | Hot cooked meals to Class 1-8 students in govt/aided schools; 12 crore+ beneficiaries; POSHAN renamed 2021 |
| EKLAVYA Model Residential Schools | 1997 | Residential schools for ST students in tribal areas; Class 6-12; 1 per tribal block; 600+ schools |
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) | 2015 | One-stop for 50+ central scholarships; DBT to bank accounts; Pre-matric + Post-matric + Merit-based |