Union edu minister backs NEP 2020, sets 50% GER target in 5 years

In a step toward strengthening global academic cooperation, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the Letter of Intent (LOI) handover ceremony with the University of Liverpool.

The collaboration marks an important milestone in India's effort to expand its international education partnerships.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan underscored India's ambitious educational reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

He drew attention to the size of the Indian education system and the government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education.

"Today, the number of students in India is 300 million. Out of that, 40 million are in higher education... We have more than 1200 universities and 50,000 colleges... But GER (Gross Enrollment Ratio) is around 26-27%. The National Education Policy 2020 recommendation is to take it to 50% in the next 5 years," he said.

Linking the NEP to broader national goals, the minister stressed the policy's role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed country by 2047.

"Today, India is the 4th largest economy globally. We have a target given by PM Modi. By 2047, India will have to be a developed nation... If you want to have the ambition to be a developed nation, we have to implement the National Education Policy. One of the primary recommendations of the NEP... We have to look beyond the horizon. We have to become global. We can't function in isolation..." he added.

Approved by the Union Cabinet on July 29, 2020, the National Education Policy replaced the decades-old 1986 policy.

Aimed at overhauling the Indian education system, the NEP promotes flexibility, multilingual learning, and student choice in language education, with reforms shaped through widespread stakeholder consultation.