New Delhi: Centre has expanded skill-based and digital learning under NEP 2020, integrating vocational education into schools and strengthening industry-linked programmes in higher education. The initiatives aim to improve employability, digital access and experiential learning across the country.
The Ministry of Education introduced skill education as a regular part of the Samagra Shiksha scheme for students from Classes VI to XII. Students in Classes VI to VIII receive pre-vocational exposure through 10 bagless days, experiential learning activities and NCERT’s Kaushal Bodh textbooks. Meanwhile, students in Classes IX to XII can choose skill courses aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework.
Higher education institutions have also expanded vocational programmes. Universities now offer Community Colleges, B.Voc. degrees and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Centres to strengthen practical learning. In addition, the UGC and AICTE introduced Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme guidelines in 2025. These programmes combine classroom learning with structured apprenticeships and industry exposure.
NEP 2020 strengthens digital education
The Ministry has also widened access to digital education through PM eVidya and DIKSHA under Samagra Shiksha. States receive financial support to establish ICT laboratories and smart classrooms based on approved annual plans.
PM eVidya brings together digital, television and radio learning on one platform. It includes 200 DTH television channels and 400 radio channels that deliver educational content in several Indian languages. Consequently, students in rural, remote and tribal areas can access supplementary learning more easily.
DIKSHA serves as the national digital platform for school education. States, Union Territories and autonomous bodies have contributed more than 3.67 lakh learning resources in regional languages. Moreover, users have completed over 579.41 crore learning sessions on the platform. DIKSHA also provides more than 836 virtual laboratories and allows users to download content for offline learning.
The Union Budget 2025 announced broadband connectivity for all government secondary schools in rural areas through the BharatNet project. Furthermore, Samagra Shiksha continues to support equitable access to technology-enabled education by promoting smart classrooms and digital learning resources.
Higher education institutions also benefit from platforms such as SWAYAM, SWAYAM Prabha, e-PG Pathshala and the UGC e-resource portal. These services provide online courses and digital study material, including content in regional languages. In addition, the Digital Seva Portal enables students in rural areas to access these resources through Common Service Centres.
The Union Budget 2026-27 also announced viability gap funding and capital support for girls’ hostels in STEM institutions across every district. Besides this, the Budget 2025-26 introduced the Bhartiya Bhasha Pustak Yojana to provide digital books in Indian languages for school and higher education.
Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar shared the information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
