NEP 2020: Enhancing Preschool Health and Well-Being in India

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 outlines a comprehensive approach to preschool education that integrates multiple dimensions of child health and well-being. Basu and Santra (2023) describe the policy’s focus on physical development, nutrition, and emotional, social, and mental growth. Gandhi (2021) and Meitei et al. (2024) detail NEP 2020’s attention to early brain development and the promotion of play‐based, experiential learning that fosters social and emotional skills. Parmar et al. (2024) note that physical literacy is advanced as a means to support inclusive education. Studies also indicate challenges in reaching these aims. Mahanta and Saikia (2024) report that inadequate infrastructure and irregular supplies of food and medical resources in Anganwadi Centres hinder effective implementation. Rao et al. (2021) advocate for dedicated budget allocations, teacher training, and monitoring systems to secure equitable access and quality. Together, these studies show that NEP 2020 emphasizes a holistic and integrated model of preschool care that attends to physical, nutritional, mental, and social-emotional aspects, while implementation hurdles remain.