BRIDGING THE SKILL GAP: A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF B. VOC AND TRADITIONAL BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIA'S NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020

The Indian higher education system stands at a critical juncture. While the country produces millions of graduates annually, a significant proportion remain unemployable due to a mismatch between academic training and industry needs. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 seeks to address this discrepancy by reimagining the role of vocational education and mainstreaming skill-based programs such as the Bachelor of Vocation (B. Voc). Introduced in 2013, the B. Voc program represents a significant shift from traditional degree frameworks, offering modular, industry-linked education with multiple entry and exit points. This article presents a comparative analysis of B. Voc and conventional undergraduate programs (B.A., B.Sc., B. Com), examining their curriculum structure, employability outcomes, flexibility, and alignment with NEP 2020. Drawing upon government documents, institutional case studies, and academic research, the paper highlights the unique potential of B. Voc programs in bridging India’s skill gap and fulfilling the aspirations of a new education paradigm. The study concludes with recommendations for integrating vocational and academic streams, improving public perception of skill-based education, and strengthening industry-academia collaboration.