TRANSFORMING YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SKILL DEVELOPMENT COURSES UNDER NEP 2020

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has redefined India’s educational landscape by placing skill development at the centre of its framework. Recognizing the demographic dividend, the policy envisions an education system that goes beyond traditional academic knowledge to integrate employable and entrepreneurial skills. It emphasizes experiential learning, vocational exposure from early schooling, and the promotion of critical 21st-century abilities such as problem-solving, creativity, digital literacy, and communication. This paper descriptively examines how skill development courses under NEP 2020 contribute to youth empowerment, particularly by bridging the long-standing gap between education and employability. By reviewing existing literature and policy insights, the study highlights how these courses enhance employability, boost productivity and instil confidence and self-reliance among learners. The transformative potential of skill-based education is evident not only in generating employment opportunities but also in fostering entrepreneurship and social inclusion. The findings underscore that skill development acts as a catalyst for empowering marginalized and rural youth, enabling them to participate more actively in the economy and society. In this sense, NEP 2020 is not only an educational reform but also a social strategy for nation-building, ensuring that India’s youth are equipped to face global challenges and contribute effectively to sustainable development.