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@article{190371,
        author = {SARITA CHOUHAN and SHIVAM DUBEY and SHIVANGI DWIVEDI and ARSHI QURESHI},
        title = {National Education Policy 2020 and Curriculum Transformation in Higher Education: Implications for Skill Development and Employability},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {1924-1930},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=190371},
        abstract = {Graduate employability has emerged as a major concern within higher education systems, particularly in developing economies undergoing rapid technological and structural change. In India, persistent gaps between academic curricula and labour market requirements have prompted comprehensive policy reforms. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 seeks to address these challenges by promoting curriculum flexibility, multidisciplinary learning, outcome-based education, and skill development. This study empirically examines the impact of NEP 2020–aligned curriculum transformation on skill development and employability in higher education institutions. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in institutions implementing NEP-oriented curricular practices. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was employed to analyse the relationships between curriculum transformation, student engagement, skill development, and perceived employability. The findings indicate that curriculum flexibility, experiential learning, and competency-based education significantly enhance student engagement and skill development, which in turn positively influence employability outcomes. The study provides policy-relevant evidence supporting NEP 2020 reforms and offers practical recommendations for effective curriculum implementation in higher education.},
        keywords = {NEP 2020, Curriculum Transformation, Higher Education, Skill Development, Employability, Outcome-Based Education.},
        month = {January},
        }