Challenges in Implementing National Education Policy 2020 in State Universities

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in its entirety is a radical shift in India’s education domain and it plans to reform the structure and delivery of education at every level, and its accessibility. But the politically difficult task of realizing this grandiose policy has been fraught with challenge, particularly in public universities. In this paper, we discuss the multiple challenges that would possibly hinder the successful implementation of NEP 2020 in state universities, including issues on conditions of infrastructures, staff preparedness, curriculum changes, and financial constraints. Key Issues The draft policy the policy is broad in vision, and promotes flexibility, inclusivity and digitisation However, state universities have a history of lagging with inadequate resources, low levels of training and reluctance to switch to new methods. Also, the convergence of state-level educational policies with the broader national paradigm presents more challenges. This research uses a mixed method approach with the collection of survey, interview, and document data from the major stakeholders of faculty, students, and policy makers. The results suggest that there are some good experiences but most of the state universities experience major difficulties. This paper ends by providing strategic suggestions to address these three obstacles, particularly in relation to reinforcing faculty training, establishing stronger infrastructure, and promoting more effective policy coherence. In dealing with such challenges, state universities can further the spirit of NEP 2020 and aspire for a more inclusive and innovative education system.