FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION: TRANSFORMING HIGHER EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to address pressing sustainability challenges. This study aims to analyze how sustainability is integrated into higher education policies, frameworks, and curricula in India, drawing insights from key documents such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, UGC guidelines, NAAC manuals, and university policy papers. Using a qualitative document analysis method, the paper critically examines the presence, depth, and direction of sustainable development components in these documents. The findings indicate a strong policy-level awareness of sustainability; however, implementation remains fragmented and varies across institutions. The study concludes with recommendations for bridging the gap between awareness and action in higher education for sustainable development (HESD). Keywords: Higher Education, Sustainable Development, NEP 2020, UGC, NAAC, Document Analysis, Sustainability In Education