Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on language policy, curriculum reform, and assessment restructuring. With a total student enrolment exceeding 1.04 crore and over 54 lakh students registered for the UP Board exam in 2025, the state is working to align its educational framework with NEP guidelines despite challenges in infrastructure and resource availability.
Three-Language Policy in Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh government has adopted a robust three-language policy to promote multilingualism among students. According to the state’s education policy:
- High School (Classes 9 and 10):
- Students must choose Hindi or Elementary Hindi (for those exempted from Hindi).
- They must also select one modern Indian language, including Gujarati, Urdu, Punjabi, Assamese, Marathi, Oriya, Kannada, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, or Nepali.
- Alternatively, students can opt for a modern foreign language such as English or a classical language like Sanskrit, Pali, Arabic, or Persian.
- Intermediate Level (Classes 11 and 12):
- Students must select Hindi or General Hindi as a compulsory subject.
- They must also choose one language from the Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution, excluding Hindi and modern foreign languages.
- Classical language options include Sanskrit, Pali, Arabic, and Persian.
Proposed Language Expansion
Proposals have been submitted to the government to expand language options to include:
- Modern Indian Languages: Konkani, Dogri, Bodo, Manipuri, Maithili, Santhali, Lepcha, Limbu, and Mizo.
- Modern Foreign Languages: French, German, Russian, Nepali, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- Classical Languages: Latin.
This expansion aims to give students greater flexibility in language learning while promoting India’s linguistic diversity.
Curriculum and Pedagogy Reforms
Uttar Pradesh was one of the first states to form a task force for NEP implementation, which has focused on:
- Aligning curriculum with NEP guidelines under the National Curriculum Framework for Secondary Education (NCF-SE).
- Introducing competency-based education and experiential learning at the high school and intermediate levels.
- Strengthening coordination among the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).
According to Deepak Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary for Secondary Education, the state is awaiting new NCERT-designed textbooks to implement the updated curriculum fully.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite progress, certain challenges persist:
- Resource Availability: Government and aided institutions require better infrastructure and resources to support NEP implementation.
- Teacher Training: Effective training programs are needed to prepare teachers for the new competency-based and multilingual curriculum.
- Infrastructure for Vocational Education: While vocational education from Class 9 has been introduced, full integration under NCF-SE remains incomplete.
Use of Technology and Vocational Education
Uttar Pradesh is integrating technology into its education system through:
- Digital learning platforms and smart classrooms.
- Collaboration with PSSVIT Bhopal for vocational training guidance.
- Development of textbooks aligned with the National Curriculum Framework.
The state has also implemented 10 bagless days per academic year to encourage non-traditional learning through summer camps and co-curricular activities.
Future Outlook
Uttar Pradesh’s progress on NEP reflects a strategic approach to improving the quality of education through:
- A comprehensive three-language policy.
- Strong emphasis on vocational training.
- Greater flexibility in language instruction.
With ongoing support from NCERT and SCERT, Uttar Pradesh is positioned to further strengthen its education system, making it more inclusive and adaptable to future needs.
