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@article{204062,
        author = {Rahul  Barathe and Rohini Pokale and Adarsh Tambe},
        title = {The Role of Academic Libraries in the National Education Policy 2020 for Student Development: A Comprehensive Literature Review},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {4622-4627},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=204062},
        abstract = {Academic libraries have long served as essential pillars of higher education by supporting teaching, learning, and research activities. In the context of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, academic libraries are undergoing a strategic transformation to align with the policy’s vision of holistic, multidisciplinary, inclusive, and technology-enabled education. This paper presents a systematic literature review examining the evolving role of academic libraries in promoting student development under the NEP 2020 framework. The review synthesizes recent empirical and theoretical studies from India and international contexts and analyzes four major thematic areas: gamification for student engagement, research data management (RDM) services, artificial intelligence (AI) for equitable reference services, and digital infrastructure with secure authentication mechanisms. Gamification initiatives such as digital badges, interactive quizzes, and orientation-based activities have demonstrated positive effects on student motivation, information literacy, and collaborative learning, although challenges related to infrastructure limitations, staff competency, and sustainability persist. RDM services enhance students’ research capacity by supporting data literacy, preservation practices, compliance with ethical standards, and scholarly communication skills. The integration of AI-driven virtual reference services offers scalable and personalized user support while addressing equity and fairness concerns through continuous evaluation and ethical governance. In parallel, improvements in digital gateways, usability design, and federated authentication systems ensure secure, seamless, and inclusive access to electronic resources for diverse learner populations. Collectively, these innovations contribute to the development of critical thinking, digital competence, research skills, and lifelong learning abilities among students. Despite these advancements, academic libraries continue to face challenges such as limited funding, skill gaps, institutional constraints, and resistance to organizational change. The study emphasizes the need for strategic investment in professional development, technological infrastructure, cross-functional collaboration, and policy alignment to sustain innovation. Ultimately, academic libraries emerge as dynamic learning ecosystems that play a pivotal role in operationalizing NEP 2020 and strengthening student-centered higher education in India.},
        keywords = {Academic Libraries; National Education Policy 2020; Student Development; Gamification; Research Data Management; Artificial Intelligence; Digital Infrastructure; Information Literacy; Equity and Inclusion.},
        month = {June},
        }