Two-Day Vice-Chancellors’ Conference Begins in Kevadia to Chart Next Phase of NEP 2020 Implementation

Kevadia, Gujarat, July 10: A two-day Vice-Chancellors’ Conference of Central Universities began today in Kevadia, Gujarat, bringing together more than 50 Vice Chancellors of leading higher education institutions across India. Organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Central University of Gujarat, the conference aims to assess the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and align central universities with the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the conference and addressed the gathering, highlighting the fundamental transformation of India’s higher education ecosystem over the past decade. “India’s education system is now more flexible, interdisciplinary, inclusive and innovation-driven,” he stated. Sharing data to showcase the progress, the Minister noted that student enrolment has risen to 4.46 crore—an increase of 30% since 2014–15—while female enrolment has increased by 38%, with the female Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) now surpassing male GER. Additionally, Ph.D. enrolment has nearly doubled, and enrolment of women in Ph.D. programmes has increased by 136%.

The Minister also drew attention to the government’s push for inclusive education, with GER for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes increasing by 10 and 8 percentage points respectively. “With over 1,200 universities and 46,000 colleges now established, India has emerged as one of the largest higher education systems globally,” he said.

Shri Pradhan elaborated on the Panch Sankalp of NEP 2020: Next-Gen Emerging Education, Multidisciplinary Education, Innovative Education, Holistic Education, and Bharatiya Education. He urged Vice Chancellors to implement these themes across their campuses while keeping students at the centre of all reforms. “Our students must be empowered to become not just job seekers, but job creators, social entrepreneurs, and ethical innovators,” he emphasized.

He called upon all participating institutions to prepare a comprehensive strategy paper for full implementation of NEP 2020. The plan should include subject integration, promotion of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), tech-driven skilling initiatives, campus innovations, and value-based learning. The Minister also encouraged universities to host similar conferences on their campuses.

Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Chancellor of Central University of Gujarat, outlined the “Six Principles of Karmayoga” and stressed the importance of integrating Indian Knowledge Systems in everyday life and education.

Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Higher Education, remarked that five years since NEP 2020’s launch, the conference offers an opportunity to reflect on achievements and recalibrate the roadmap ahead. “NEP 2020 envisions institutions not just as degree-granting bodies but as ecosystems of innovation, research and holistic learning,” he said.

Dr. Sunil Barnwal, Additional Secretary, reiterated the importance of the five foundational pillars of NEP 2020—Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability—and urged enhanced stakeholder collaboration.

Prof. Rama Shanker Dubey, Vice Chancellor of Central University of Gujarat, committed on behalf of all Central Universities to take proactive steps to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat through meaningful on-ground implementation of NEP 2020.

The conference will address three strategic themes over two days:

1. Strategic Alignment – Synchronising universities with NEP’s next-phase goals.
2. Peer Learning and Knowledge Exchange – Sharing institutional best practices and challenges.
3. Forward Planning and Readiness – Preparing for policy milestones and future global academic trends.

Ten thematic sessions aligned with NEP’s pillars will be conducted, covering:

• Implementation of NHEQF/NCrF and Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP)
• Alignment of curricula with future job roles
• Expansion of digital education tools like SWAYAM, AAPAR
• Inclusive university governance via SAMARTH
• Promotion of equity and access in Higher Education Institutions
• Advancing education in Indian languages and IKS
• Strengthening research and innovation ecosystems
• Enhancing global rankings and accreditations
• Internationalisation and the “Study in India” initiative
• Faculty development through the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme

Participating institutions include Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), University of Delhi, Central University of Kashmir, Visva-Bharati, Assam University, Sikkim University, Tripura University, and several others.

The outcomes of this conference are expected to provide a strategic direction for India’s higher education sector and help shape the academic and institutional roadmap to achieve the national goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.