IMPACT OF NEP 2020 ON TEACHER EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA: A QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF PREPARATION REFORMS, CONTINUOUS TRAINING, AND PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a decisive shift in India’s approach to teacher education and professional development by positioning teachers at the core of educational transformation. Recognizing teachers as key agents of change, the policy proposes comprehensive reforms in teacher preparation, continuous professional development (CPD), and performance evaluation. This qualitative study examines the impact of NEP 2020 on teacher education and professional development in India by analyzing policy documents, scholarly literature, institutional reports, and field-based qualitative studies. The findings indicate that while NEP 2020 introduces progressive reforms such as integrated teacher education programs, continuous capacity building, and performance-linked accountability, significant challenges persist in implementation, particularly regarding institutional readiness, equity, and contextual adaptation. The study argues that the success of NEP 2020 depends on sustained investment, institutional capacity building, and support-oriented professional development models rather than compliance-driven mechanisms.