UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on National Education Policy and 2036 Olympics (Week 113)

QUESTION 1

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisaged a paradigm shift in early childhood and foundational education through the 5+3+3+4 structure. Discuss the extent to which this structural reform has been translated on the ground since its approval.

QUESTION 2

Compare India’s diplomatic efforts of hosting the 2036 Olympics—anchored in Global South representation and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’—with Qatar’s pitch centered on readiness, inclusion, and becoming the first Olympics in the Middle East.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisaged a paradigm shift in early childhood and foundational education through the 5+3+3+4 structure. Discuss the extent to which this structural reform has been translated on the ground since its approval.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Education is fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable and just society, and promoting national development.

— The global education development goal, expressed in Goal 4 (SDG4) of the 2030 goal for Sustainable Development, accepted by India in 2015, is to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030.

— The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a watershed moment in India’s drive to revitalise its higher education sector. It aims to change both the organisation and content of education. While school education reforms prioritise fundamental learning, curriculum renewal, assessment transformation, and holistic development, the higher education agenda emphasises flexible transdisciplinary learning, institutional autonomy, high-quality research, and global integration.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

Structural reforms

— The 10+2 system has been replaced with a new structure — foundational (pre-primary to class 2), preparatory (classes 3-5), middle (6-8), and secondary (9-12). In 2023, the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) laid out the learning outcomes and competencies for each stage.

— The NEP aims to make pre-primary learning universal by 2030. NCERT’s Jaadui Pitara learning kits are already in use, and the Women and Child Development Ministry has issued a national ECCE curriculum.

— NIPUN Bharat, which was introduced in 2021, aims to ensure that every kid can read and do basic maths by the end of grade 3. According to a recent government poll, average language and maths results were 64% and 60%, respectively, which is a start but far from universal proficiency.

— The NEP recommended the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). This, along with the National Credit Framework (NCrF), has been established. UGC guidelines announced in 2021 enabled students to earn and keep credits digitally, even across schools, allowing them to switch courses or exit and re-enter. The system allows students to obtain a certificate after one year, a diploma after two years, or a four-year multidisciplinary degree.

— The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), which was launched in 2022, is currently a primary pathway to undergraduate admissions. NEP 2020 proposed that different college entrance examinations be replaced with a single national test.

— IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and IIM Ahmedabad have established foreign campuses in Zanzibar, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, respectively. The University of Southampton just opened in India, after two other foreign universities in GIFT City, Gujarat.

Challenges

— NEP proposes three languages in school, at least two of them Indian. But Tamil Nadu, which follows a Tamil-English model, sees this as an attempt to impose Hindi.

— The National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, due in 2021, is yet to be released.

— Some states have pushed back against key NEP provisions. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have refused to sign MoUs with the Centre to set up PM-SHRI schools, citing clauses that require full adoption of NEP.

Conclusion:

— NEP 2020 aspires to attain a GER of 50% by 2035. To do this, the government is focussing on establishing additional higher education institutions, assisting underprivileged students, making standalone institutions multidisciplinary, and encouraging distant and online learning.

— The PM VidyaLakshmi Scheme, which to be started in November 2024, promises to increase access to higher education by providing collateral-free loans to students enrolled at India’s top 860 institutions. With a budget of ₹3,600 crore from FY 2024-25 to 2030-31, it aims to benefit approximately 22 lakh students annually and support an additional 7 lakh students, with an emphasis on inclusivity.

(Source: Five years of National Education Policy: Taking stock of the transition, http://www.education.gov.in, http://www.pib.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Read more about NEP

Read more about schemes related to education sector

Related Previous Year Questions

Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. (2023)

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse. (2022)

QUESTION 2: Compare India’s diplomatic efforts of hosting the 2036 Olympics—anchored in Global South representation and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’—with Qatar’s pitch centered on readiness, inclusion, and becoming the first Olympics in the Middle East.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— India, which has been working on its bid for nearly two years, has competition from Turkey, Indonesia, Hungary, and Germany, all of whom want to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1936 Olympics.

— While Qatar maintains their interest corresponds with the ‘National Vision 2030’, India has stated that the 2036 Olympics are in accordance with the country’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision’.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

Comparison based on:

1. Venue

— Qatar implies that they can host the Olympics now if it comes to that. Readiness, bolstered by the controversial yet successful 2022 FIFA World Cup, is their big bid plank.

— On the infrastructure front, Qatar has claimed that ‘95 per cent of Olympic venues are already in place and tested at the highest level’.

— In India, the pace of infrastructure building — being done from scratch — has increased rapidly in the last few months as the authorities begin work to construct the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Enclave, which is likely to be the major hub.

— India has bid — or is in the process of bidding — multiple international tournaments over the next few years to gain hosting experience. This includes the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which is almost certain to be held in Ahmedabad, the 2027 women’s volleyball world championship and the 2028 World U20 Athletics Championships, among others.

2. Regional play

— Qatar has also reaffirmed that if it were to be awarded the 2036 Games, ‘it would mark the first Olympic and Paralympic Games ever held in the Middle East and North Africa’.

— India, meanwhile, has said hosting the Olympics would speak of the ‘aspirations of the Global South’ and, in the letter of intent to the IOC, spoke about the ‘transformative economic, social and cultural impact in wider SAARC nations in South Asia’.

3. Economy and diplomacy

— Qatar is banking on its growing reputation of being a global diplomacy hub. In their pitch, the Gulf nation has said ‘this bid is a natural extension of our diplomatic legacy, inviting the world to connect in an environment of peace and mutual respect.’

— India, on the other hand, has impressed upon the IOC that it is the ‘only major economy yet to host the Games.’ “And while we recognise that is not the sole reason to award a Games, it is a stark reflection of our region’s need for the types of sport and social benefits that only the Olympic Games can provide,” the letter of intent stated.

(Source: India, Qatar battle for hosting 2036 Olympics: Promise vs readiness, major economy vs diplomatic hub)

Points to Ponder

Read more about Olympics

Read about India-Qatar relationship

Related Previous Year Question

Critically analyse India’s evolving diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations with the Central Asian Republics (CARs), highlighting their increasing significance in regional and global geopolitics. (2024)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 112)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 113)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 112)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 111)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 112)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 111)

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