Libraries and the National Education Policy of India (NEP 2020) in the Context of Higher Education

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a transformative step in reshaping India’s higher education system with a focus on equity, inclusion, multidisciplinary education, and research excellence. Libraries, as integral academic support systems, play a pivotal role in enabling these reforms by providing access to scholarly resources, technological infrastructure, and inclusive services for all learners. This paper examines the contributions of libraries toward the effective implementation of NEP 2020 in higher education institutions (HEIs). Using a descriptive research method and policy analysis of the NEP 2020 document, the study identifies specific library-related functions that align with the policy’s objectives. Findings suggest that libraries are catalysts in promoting quality education, research, equity, innovation, and internationalization in higher education, making them indispensable for the successful realization of NEP 2020 goals.