India is set on achieving the ambitious goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, aiming to create a developed, just, and knowledge-driven nation by the centennial of its independence. Central to this aspiration is the emphasis on education and innovation. This national objective is rooted in PM Narendra Modi’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its transformative vision. NEP 2020 represents a paradigm shift in India’s perspective on education, viewing it as a driving force for social progress, technological leadership, and economic transformation, rather than just a means to secure employment.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is a new institutional framework designed to promote research, stimulate innovation, and establish India as a global knowledge powerhouse. The NEP’s focus on research and innovation is not just an educational reform; it is also an economic necessity in an increasingly complex and competitive world.

PM Narendra Modi has outlined the NEP to meet global education standards, aiming to empower the youth with skills that make them self-reliant and position India as a global innovation hub. With 128 universities, India is poised to become the world’s second-best-represented nation in the 2026 World University Rankings, behind the United States (171) and ahead of Japan (115) and the United Kingdom (109).

The Indian education system has long suffered due to its outdated curriculum, rigid evaluation methods, and overemphasis on rote learning. Students were taught to memorize information rather than think critically and solve real-life problems. This disconnect between education and innovation has historically constrained the Indian education system.

To address this structural flaw, NEP emphasizes creativity, analytical reasoning, and conceptual clarity across all educational levels. By promoting research-oriented pedagogy, transdisciplinary thinking, and experiential learning, the policy aims to develop a new generation of creatives, innovators,........

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