Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, a Member of Parliament, publicly condemned the Central government on the sixth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Ramesh referred to the policy as the “Nagpur Education Policy” and accused the government of implementing it without adequate parliamentary discussion. In a post on X, he expressed concerns that the fundamental aspects of the policy have deteriorated and aimed criticism at the National Testing Agency (NTA), which he claims has faced significant challenges in its operations.

Ramesh pointed out that the NEP 2020 was adopted by the Modi Government without a formal debate in Parliament or endorsement from the Central Advisory Board of Education. He stressed that key features intended to strengthen the educational framework have been compromised. This assertion was made as he remarked that the stability of the policy’s core elements has been questioned.

The Congress leader further noted that the NTA has lost credibility, suggesting this has undermined confidence in the testing framework established under the NEP. He indicated that the former Minister who promoted the policy vigorously has since resigned, implying that the policy’s implementation faced resistance not just from the opposition but also from within the ruling coalition.

Comparison with Historical Education Policy

Ramesh contrasted the current NEP with the National Policy on Education introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986. He highlighted that unlike the NEP 2020, the 1986 policy underwent rigorous discussion in Parliament prior to its implementation. The establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas was cited as a notable achievement of the earlier policy, illustrating its focus on long-term socio-economic improvements.

He underscored the importance of consensus in educational reforms, suggesting that the approach taken in 1986 stands in stark contrast to what he perceives as haste in the current policy’s adoption. Ramesh argued that collaborative discussions among policymakers are crucial to safeguard educational standards and outcomes.

Ramesh’s commentary reflects a broader critique of current educational governance, indicating that the absence of collaborative policy-making may lead to ineffective implementations and unintended consequences for students across the nation.

Student Protests and Government Response

In related developments, Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), expressed discontent regarding how student protests have been managed by the government. He noted that if the government continues its current approach, the CJP plans to initiate further protests. The remarks were made outside Delhi airport, where he targeted the excessive force allegedly used against students demonstrating against the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

Dipke alleged that students had experienced undue violence during their protests, highlighting the severity of the situation on July 20 when protests escalated. He called for a reassessment of governmental tactics, emphasising that the students were advocating for their futures rather than seeking confrontation.

As tensions mount, Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal voiced support for the student protests, questioning the government’s accountability concerning previous assurances made. The protests have drawn attention from various political figures, underlining the ongoing concern about student rights within the educational framework.

Additionally, the Supreme Court has intervened by directing states to ensure the release of students under the age of 18 who have been arrested during these protests, provided they do not have prior criminal records. This ruling indicates the judiciary’s role in addressing tensions surrounding educational policies and student protests across the nation.

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