SSB Lecturette TOPIC NOTES: Education system in India,NEP ,digitalisation 

1. “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

• The education system in India has evolved over thousands of years and reflects the country’s cultural, social and economic transformation
• .In ancient India, education was deeply rooted in the Gurukul system, where students lived with their teacher or “guru” and learned not only academic subjects but also discipline, moral values, life skills and physical training.
•  Education during that time focused on holistic personality development rather than only examinations or theoretical knowledge. 
• Early Indian parenting also played a major role in shaping children’s learning, where families emphasised character building, respect for elders, and practical life knowledge from a very young age.
  

Current scenario of Education in India 

• Today, India has one of the largest education systems in the world, with millions of schools and higher education institutions.
  
•  The government has introduced major reforms through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to transform the traditional education structure. NEP replaced the old 10+2 system with a 5+3+3+4 structure, focusing on early childhood education, foundational literacy and flexible learning pathways.
•  It emphasises skill-based learning, critical thinking and vocational education starting from middle school. The policy also promotes the use of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction till Grade 5 and aims to universalise foundational literacy and numeracy by 2025. 
•  Another major transformation in India’s education system is the growth of digital education. The government has promoted online learning platforms such as SWAYAM, National Digital Library, virtual labs and other technology-based initiatives to improve access to education. 
• Digital learning became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to expand with increasing internet and smartphone usage across the country. 
• India has made significant progress in improving literacy levels over the years. The country’s literacy rate increased from 74% in 2011 to about 80.9% in 2023–24, ✅ reflecting steady improvement in access to education and government initiatives. 
•   Rural literacy has also shown strong growth, increasing to about 77.5% ✅ with female literacy rising substantially over the past decade.

Conclusion 

• The education system in India has undergone a remarkable journey from the value-based Gurukul system to a modern technology-driven structure.
•  Today, initiatives like the National Education Policy and digital education are transforming learning by focusing on skill development, inclusivity and innovation. 
• Although India has made significant progress in literacy and enrolment, challenges such as regional disparities, quality of education and digital inequality still need attention. 
• With continuous reforms, technological integration and community participation, India’s education system has the potential to empower youth and contribute significantly to national development and global competitiveness.