"PROFESSIONAL ETHICS OF A TEACHER WITH REFERENCE TO THE NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY (NEP) 2020"

Professional ethics constitute the moral and normative foundation of the teaching profession and significantly influence the quality of education and social development. In India, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 positions teachers as the central agents of educational transformation and emphasizes ethical professionalism, accountability, inclusivity, and continuous professional development. This paper critically examines the concept of professional ethics of teachers within the framework of NEP 2020. Adopting a qualitative and analytical approach based on policy documents and secondary literature, the study analyses key ethical dimensions such as integrity, equity, responsibility, professional competence, and social commitment. The paper argues that ethical professionalism is indispensable for realizing the objectives of NEP 2020 and concludes by highlighting the need for structured ethical training, robust professional standards, and institutional support systems to strengthen ethical practices in teaching.