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@article{187584,
        author = {Dr. Kuljeet Singh},
        title = {Rethinking Educational Federalism in India: A Critical Examination of the Risks and Opportunities of NEP 2020 Implementation},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {6},
        pages = {5931-5936},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=187584},
        abstract = {The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 represents a significant shift aimed at transforming India’s education system to address challenges of the 21st century. It exists within a federal structure where education is on the Concurrent List, making it necessary to find a balance between national goals and state independence. This paper looks closely at the risks and opportunities NEP 2020 brings to educational federalism in India. Using methods like analyzing policy documents, examining media discussions, and conducting semi-structured interviews in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, this study reveals how federal tensions come up in language policy, curriculum design, and financial governance. Tamil Nadu’s outright rejection of NEP’s three-language policy shows its history of anti-Hindi movements and a strong commitment to cultural identity. Karnataka finds a middle ground by resisting language mandates while selectively engaging with NEP provisions. In contrast, Maharashtra shows practical curriculum changes but also raises concerns about centralization. The Union government's use of conditional funding adds to the perception of coercive federalism, weakening the cooperative frameworks set by the Constitution. Moreover, clarifications from the Supreme Court confirm that NEP is not mandatory, reinforcing state rights to educational independence. The findings suggest rethinking educational federalism through inclusive governance, adaptable frameworks that honor linguistic diversity, and financial structures that maintain state autonomy. This paper highlights a key dilemma of NEP 2020: it aims for national unity and educational quality while risking democratic federalism if centralization continues. These insights are significant for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working within the complex federal landscape of education.},
        keywords = {Educational Sovereignty, Federal Erosion, National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), Language Policy, Cooperative Federalism, India, Linguistic Pluralism, Fiscal Federalism},
        month = {November},
        }