New Delhi: The government has undertaken a range of reforms in school and higher education since the announcement of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on multidisciplinary learning, flexible academic pathways, digital education, skill development and improved access, the Lok Sabha was informed.

Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said several initiatives have been launched in school education, including PM SHRI, Samagra Shiksha, NIPUN Bharat, PM e-VIDYA, DIKSHA, NISHTHA, Vidya Pravesh, Vidya Samiksha Kendra and the National Digital Education Architecture.

In higher education, reforms include the National Credit Framework (NCrF), National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF), multiple entry and exit options, simultaneous pursuit of two academic programmes and transformation of higher educational institutions into multidisciplinary institutions.

The government has also introduced the Academic Bank of Credits and APAAR ID to facilitate credit transfer and track students' educational journeys.

Other initiatives include PM-Vidyalaxmi for financial support to meritorious students, revised regulations for online and open-distance learning, SWAYAM-based credit courses, the SWAYAM Plus portal for skilling and upskilling, and the use of SAMARTH for technology-enabled administration of higher education institutions.

The government has also facilitated academic collaboration between Indian and foreign institutions, including twinning, joint and dual degree programmes, while regulations have been framed to permit foreign higher educational institutions to establish campuses in India.

Majumdar said digital education has been strengthened through platforms such as DIKSHA, PM e-VIDYA, SWAYAM, SWAYAM Prabha and e-PG Pathshala.

Under Samagra Shiksha, financial assistance is provided to states and Union Territories for ICT infrastructure, including smart classrooms and ICT laboratories. The government has also announced broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools in rural areas under BharatNet.

According to the government, 126 higher educational institutions are offering around 802 online programmes, while 121 institutions are offering about 1,699 open and distance learning programmes.

NEP 2020 also seeks to integrate skill development and vocational education with mainstream education. In schools, NSQF-aligned courses are offered to students of Classes IX-XII, while students of Classes VI-VIII receive pre-vocational exposure through bagless days, internships and experiential learning.

In higher education, NHEQF and NCrF facilitate integration of academic, vocational and experiential learning. UGC has also issued guidelines for Internship/Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes.

The SWAYAM Plus portal has more than 500 courses developed with 89 industry partners across 17 sectors, with over six lakh students registered so far.

The National Apprenticeship Training Scheme and initiatives of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship are also aimed at strengthening industry-linked training and employability.

The government is implementing PM-USHA, the third phase of RUSA, with an outlay of Rs 12,926.10 crore to strengthen infrastructure and improve access and quality in higher education.

The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, announced in the 2025-26 Budget, seeks to provide educational books in digital format in 22 Indian languages.

The 2026-27 Union Budget has also announced setting up one girls' hostel in every district through viability gap funding or capital support to encourage enrolment of girls in STEM institutions and courses.

Majumdar said education being a concurrent subject, the Centre and states are working together with regulatory and implementing bodies to advance NEP 2020.