Why Modi government’s report card on education gets A+

Over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , India’s education sector has undergone a historic transformation- from policy overhaul to institutional expansion, from digital inclusion to meeting global standards – the strides taken reflect a clear, determined path towards creating a knowledge-driven, empowered society. The journey that began in 2014 has not just reformed the system, it has reimagined what education can mean. The Dream Team of PM Modi and education minister Dharmendra Pradhan India is not just fixing past inefficiencies, it is preparing its youth to lead in a knowledge-driven global economy.

National Education Policy 2020: The blueprint for Viksit Bharat

At the heart of this transformation lies the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a path-breaking, future-ready policy that restructured India’s education framework after more than three decades. Guided by the ideals of holistic, inclusive and skill-oriented education, NEP 2020 introduced a new 5+3+3+4 structure, tailoring learning to developmental stages and encouraging multilingual, experiential and inquiry-based learning.

The NEP has begun reshaping classrooms across the country. From the Jadui Pitara kits for early education to the integration of coding, design thinking and financial literacy at the school level or the NIPUN Bharat mission, which has already improved literacy and numeracy levels  the Indian education system has changed its course from “rote learning” to “revolutionary learning”. 

Breaking language barriers: Education in mother tongue

For far too long, linguistic elitism kept large sections of our society away from quality education. But today, 104 primary books have been introduced in 22 states and union territories to enable children to learn in their mother tongue or local language and Indian Sign Language (ISL) has been developed for classes 1 to 12. Over 200 TV channels provide educational content in 29 languages while the DIKSHA platform offers over 3,66,370 e-content pieces in 133 languages, including 126 Indian and seven foreign languages. 

Higher education in India has advanced with 51 Indian Knowledge System centers established with 1,500 undergraduate textbooks translated into 12 Indian languages and Indian Knowledge Systems integrated into over 8,000 institutions. Competitive exams like JEE, NEET and CUET are now offered in 13 regional languages and engineering courses are available in eight Indian languages. Additionally, 428 programs across 19 central institutions are offered in 12 Indian languages, with study materials accessible via e-KUMBH and Anuvadini platforms.

Transforming higher education: Scale, quality and global presence

One of the defining achievements of the Modi government has been the unprecedented expansion in higher education infrastructure. From 760 universities in 2014 to over 1,213 in 2024, India has witnessed a 60% growth. Colleges too have risen by over 21%, demonstrating our commitment to reach the unreached and empower every corner of Bharat .

More importantly, the government has established 42 new centrally funded premier institutions, including:

• 7 new IITs
• 8 new IIMs
• 8 Central Universities
• 16 new IIITs
• Alongside the first-ever Central University in Ladakh and new AIIMS across the Northeast  

This decentralization of excellence ensures that a student from Jammu or Jorhat enjoys the same access to quality education as one in Delhi or Mumbai. The setting up of 15 new medical colleges in Assam and the replacement of the Medical Council of India with the National Medical Commission have ensured transparency, accessibility and quality in medical education.

The education sector’s digital transformation under PM Modi has been nothing short of revolutionary. During the pandemic, India turned crisis into opportunity through the PM eVidya initiative, benefiting over 25 crore students. Platforms like DIKSHA, SWAYAM, and the National Digital University have ensured that no learner is left behind.

Our commitment to knowledge democratization was further cemented through the One Nation, One Subscription initiative, providing 1.8 crore students and researchers with access to global research journals and publications .

The Modi government has consistently prioritized inclusive education. Programs like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao have resulted in tangible improvements, with the female Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in secondary education increasing from 75.5% in 2014 to 78% in 2024. Notably, there has been a 23% increase in girls’ enrollment in STEM fields, setting the foundation for gender parity in high-growth domains.

Financial empowerment through the PM Vidyalakshmi Scheme and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana has supported students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their academic dreams without financial burdens.

In a world moving rapidly toward Industry 4.0, skilling is no longer optional – it’s essential. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) has trained over 1.63 crore youth across high-demand sectors. The revival of apprenticeships under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) has benefitted over 40 lakh youth, turning “learning while earning” into a powerful reality .

We also saw a 46% increase in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country, ensuring that students in small towns and rural areas have access to technical training that is both modern and employable.

India was once home to great universities like Nalanda and Takshashila, where the world came to learn. Today, we are reviving that civilizational legacy on a global stage. India is now the fourth most represented country in the QS World Rankings with 54 institutions in 2026, up from just 11 in 2015. Our top IITs have improved their average global rank from 224 to 186 in just one year – a massive leap forward. 

Our premier institutions are also going global—IIT Madras in Zanzibar and IIT Delhi’s upcoming campus in Abu Dhabi are testament to India’s rising academic stature. These initiatives are complemented by ₹1 lakh crore investment mobilized for higher education infrastructure under RISE and HEFA schemes.

Cracking down on the paper leak mafia

Another critical reform has been the government’s zero-tolerance approach to exam malpractices. The Modi government has intensified efforts to curb examination paper leaks. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 imposes up to 10 years imprisonment and Rs 1 crore fines for culprits, with provisions for property forfeiture. A high-level committee, led by ex-ISRO chief Dr. K Radhakrishnan, was formed to reform the National Testing Agency and enhance exam security. This crackdown on cheating mafias and paper leak syndicates, often operating with political patronage in the past, demonstrates the Modi government’s commitment to meritocracy and integrity. 

Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has played a pivotal role in implementing NEP 2020, expanding access to institutions, promoting regional languages and facilitating India’s digital education ecosystem. His proactive leadership has ensured that the policy does not remain on paper but is felt across classrooms, campuses and communities. Under this dream team, education today has become a national movement and not just a ministerial mandate.

As we witness this transformative journey, one can say with conviction that the Modi government has redefined education not as a privilege but as an enabler of potential. From the remotest village to global campuses, Indian education today is about AAA – access, aspiration and achievement.

The 11-year transformation of our education sector under Prime Minister Modi is not just a chapter of reform – it is a legacy in the making.

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