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The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
NEP 2020 turns five: Charting India's educational reforms and future pathways
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, India's first comprehensive education policy of the 21st century, is a blueprint for the transformation of the nation into a knowledge society and a global knowledge superpower. Over the past five years, progress has been made by all the stakeholders to implement it, in letter and spirit. This article reviews the achievements, so far, vis-à-vis the major objectives of the policy, challenges faced, and provides suggestions for the future road map. About NEP 2020 Grounded in the foundational five pillars of access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability, NEP 2020 aims to cultivate an education system that is holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, and responsive to the demands of the 21st century. It seeks to integrate India's ancient traditional values into the educational fabric, to ensure the holistic development of students to be not only competent professionals but also good human beings. The policy outlines a comprehensive set of core objectives for the higher education sector, designed to bring about a systemic transformation, with milestones up to 2035. Objectives of NEP 2020 The primary objective of the policy is the enhancement of the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education, from 26.3% (in 2018) to 50% by 2035. This quantitative expansion is coupled with a strong emphasis on the quality of education to improve academic standards concurrently. The policy champions holistic and multidisciplinary education, moving away from the traditional disciplinary silos. A key structural reform is the introduction of a flexible curricular structure and a credit system. To invigorate the research and innovation ecosystem, the policy proposes the establishment of a National Research Foundation (NRF) to fund and promote research across all disciplines. Internationalisation is another significant objective, to promote India as a global study destination by offering quality education at affordable costs. In terms of regulatory and governance reforms, the policy proposed the establishment of a single overarching regulator for higher education, the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), which would replace the existing multiple regulatory bodies. Finally, the NEP 2020 places considerable emphasis on the capacity building of teachers, which includes a focus on comprehensive training and development programs for teachers. Gross enrolments moved up by 20% Due to various initiatives, gross enrollments were estimated to have grown by about 20% in the last five years from 4.14 crores in 2020-21 to 4.95 crores in 2024-25. Post COVID-19, online education has emerged as an enabler in India's higher education landscape, particularly accelerated by the push from NEP 2020 and the digital transformation. The number of HEIs offering online programs has more than doubled, from 42 in 2020-21 to 109 in 2024-25, whereas the number of students enrolled in online undergraduate and postgraduate programs has grown about four times, from 25,905 in 2020-21 to over a lakh in 2024-25, including foreign students. Furthermore, over 90% of the HEIs reported engaging with government e-learning platforms such as SWAYAM and SWAYAM Prabha, indicative of widespread digital readiness and integration. Curricular and pedagogical reforms Progress has been made in restructuring the academic framework to foster greater flexibility and multidisciplinary learning. The Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP), with multiple entry and multiple exit options, has been adopted by over 105 universities, including 19 central institutions. The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) has been operationalised as a digital platform for storing earned academic credits. By July 2025, over 32 crore ABC IDs have been issued, with credits applicable from the academic year 2021 onwards. Research and innovation ecosystem Efforts have been made to strengthen India's research and innovation landscape. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been constituted as the new apex body for funding scientific research, with an ambitious target to receive ₹50,000 crore during 2023-28, which includes a budgetary provision of ₹14,000 crore from the Central Government and the balance funds to be sourced through donations from public and private agencies. The initiative of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs), envisioned development of public universities on par with premier institutions like IITs and IIMs, is progressing. A grant of ₹100 crore, under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) scheme, is earmarked per State Public University (SPU), for their transition to MERUs and 440 units in various states are, so far, approved to boost India's R&D output and global research standing. Internationalisation of higher education Under the UGC 2023 regulations, top 500 ranked global universities are permitted to establish campuses in India. The University of Southampton, U.K. is the first overseas university to open its campus in Gurugram in August 2025. Furthermore, five other globally renowned universities, Illinois Institute of Technology (US..), University of Liverpool (U.K), Victoria University (Australia), Western Sydney University (Australia), and Istituto Europeo di Design (Italy), are set to establish their Indian campuses by 2026-2027. The presence of international universities is expected to foster a more globally connected education ecosystem in India, facilitating interdisciplinary research and innovation. However, the premium cost of the foreign campuses might limit access for many Indian students, potentially creating a two-tiered system that requires careful monitoring to ensure equitable access. Integration of skills and vocational education The proportion of formally trained individuals in the Indian workforce in the age group of 19 to 24 years has increased from 2.4% in 2004-05 to 4.1% in 2023-24. Only about 5% of the students are currently enrolled in vocational courses. The Prime Minister's Internship Scheme (PMIS) 2025 is a key initiative launched to bridge this gap and enhance the employability of India's youth, which provides real-world exposure to fresh graduates. As a part of this scheme, about 1.53 lakh internship offers were made by about 500 companies, across two rounds in October 24 and January 2025 and some 50,000 graduates accepted the offers. Quality improvement and accreditation Last five years have seen concerted efforts towards quality improvement, significantly influenced by initiatives like the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). NIRF 2024, in its ninth edition, has seen 86% growth in participation, from 3,500 institutions in its inaugural year to over 6,500 unique institutions, across 16 categories. While NIRF focuses on ranking, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) plays a crucial role in the direct accreditation of the institutions. As of January 2025, about 43% of the universities and less than 20% of the colleges are NAAC accredited. In line with the recommendation of Dr. Radhakrishnan Committee report (2024) on transformative reforms in accreditation, NAAC plans to introduce binary accreditation system, which is expected to accelerate the pace of accreditation in the days to come. Challenges and suggestions Despite the advancements, the NEP 2020 implementation journey has been characterised by formidable challenges. Significant deficits in physical and digital infrastructure, a critical shortage of qualified teachers, the enduring digital divide, and constraints in additional financial allocation pose major hurdles. There is a critical shortage of qualified teachers to meet the increasing student numbers. Challenges extend beyond the mere number of teachers to encompass the need for comprehensive teacher preparation programs, reskilling faculty for new pedagogies, and adapting to transparent assessment practices. Addressing regional disparities and ensuring equitable access and quality for all socio-economic groups will continue to be a formidable challenge. Enhanced public-private partnerships, targeted capacity building for faculty, and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are crucial. Online education, as a growth driver to enhance enrolments In order to achieve the GER target of 50% by 2035, it is estimated that nearly eight crore students need to be enrolled, which works out to be additional enrolment of about three crore students in the next 10 years. It is a daunting task, considering that the pace of enrolments in the last five to 10 years has been about 15 lakhs-18 lakhs per year in the existing institutions. It calls for substantial investment in infrastructure and capacity building towards the expansion of existing institutions and setting up new ones. Considering the response to the online education programs in the last five years, it may be a good strategy to leverage online education to grow enrolments. Currently, less than 10% of the existing universities are approved by the UGC to offer online degree programs due to the stringent eligibility criteria, based on the NIRF ranking and NAAC accreditation score. The government may review the guidelines for eligibility and allow more universities to offer online programs, without sacrificing quality. This could facilitate a jump in enrolments in the next five years. It is also essential ensure more robust digital infrastructure and connectivity in rural and remote areas to bridge the digital divide. (Prof O.R.S. Rao is the Chancellor of the ICFAI University, Sikkim)
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
San Diego families brace for pricier back-to-school season
Parents are heading into the 2025 back-to-school season facing rising prices and looming tariffs — forcing them to shop smarter and earlier. Why it matters: Back-to-school is the second-biggest retail event of the year, after the winter holidays. This season is a stress test for family budgets and a strategy test for retailers trying to hold onto value-conscious shoppers. Driving the news: Thousands of students in the Chula Vista, South Bay and Sweetwater districts returned to school last week. School starts Aug. 11 for San Diego Unified students, and most other districts countywide welcome students back in mid-August. Between the lines: California law requires public schools to provide all essential school supplies for students, but the financial burden can still fall on parents and teachers, who often make online wish lists to supply their classrooms. State of play: New U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports — including backpacks, pens, binders and shoes — kicked in earlier this year, rose sharply, then came back down to levels still historically high. Big retailers like Target, Walmart and Staples have rolled out deals, freebies and sales to help ease pressure on teachers and family budgets. By the numbers: Families with students in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $858.07 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics this year, per the National Retail Federation. That's down from $874.68 in 2024. 67% of back-to-school shoppers had already started buying for the coming school year as of early June, according to the NRF. 51% of families said they are shopping earlier this year than last year "out of concern that prices will rise due to tariffs," the NRF said. Stationery and supplies prices have risen 30% over the past five years, according to Deloitte's 2025 back-to-school survey. Yes, but: The full impact of tariffs hasn't hit store shelves yet. "Retailers have done a solid job front-loading inventory to delay price spikes — so for now, many shelves still reflect pre-tariff costs," David Warrick, executive vice president at supply-chain risk firm Overhaul, told Axios. "But that buffer may run out by late summer or early fall." They're expecting an average price increase of 12% to 15% across back-to-school essentials, Warrick said. Zoom in: The San Diego Center for Children, Jewish Family Services, Boys and Girls Clubs, churches and other local organizations host backpack and school supplies drives to help alleviate costs.
Fibre2Fashion
2 days ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
US department stores struggle, pressure mounts: NRF
US department stores remain under pressure, with most players in decline, according to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2025 Top 100 Retailers list compiled by Kantar. US department stores continue to struggle, with Macy's, Kohl's and Nordstrom posting sales declines, though TJX Companies leads apparel with 4 per cent growth and 3,660 stores. Ross and Burlington thrive in value apparel. Kantar's Marcotte highlights growing Gen Z interest in mall retail driven by Japanese trendsâ€'though its sustainability may hinge on tariff impacts. Dillard's (No. 68) stands as the category's strongest performer despite a soft year, while Nordstrom—now 49.9 per cent owned by Mexican retail giant El Puerto de Liverpool—remains a retailer to watch. Macy's (No. 24) saw a 3 per cent decline in US sales to $22.21 billion and a 2 per cent drop in comparable store sales. Kohl's (No. 31) posted an even steeper slide, with US sales down 7 per cent and comparable store sales off 6.5 per cent. In contrast, TJX Companies (No. 15) strengthened its lead in the apparel and jewellery segment, reporting 4 per cent growth in US sales to $43.56 billion and a 4 per cent gain in comp store sales. The retailer also grew its US store base by 3.1 per cent to 3,660 locations, NRF said in a release. Ross Stores (No. 25) and Burlington (No. 47) continue to thrive within the value apparel segment, both recognised as Power Players—retailers whose 2024 US sales were equal to or greater than 10 per cent of the category leader's. 'The broad variety of apparel options — either from source manufacturers or discontinued and clearance items — continues to support the growth of the discount trade. The additional sophistication of systems to manage a widely divergent procurement stream has led to the continued success of Ross and Burlington. The emergence of Shein and Temu has led to strong shopper engagement from the very different fast fashion shopper,' said David Marcotte, senior vice president of global retail and technology for Kantar. Walmart retained its No. 1 position overall, followed by Amazon, Costco, Kroger and The Home Depot. The NRF's annual ranking highlights category-specific power dynamics, spotlighting key players shaping retail's shifting landscape. Retail inside malls is attempting a comeback, fuelled by a real estate push to make these spaces more engaging and experiential—particularly for Gen Z shoppers. Japanese products are helping lure younger consumers back to malls, Marcotte noted. 'And that's something I'll be looking at next year, to see if it sticks. Because so much of that is impacted by tariffs,' he said. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Sephora and Ulta tighten returns policies: What you need to know
Retailers face a massive challenge when it comes to returns. Having a liberal returns policy makes customers feel more confident when making a purchase. If you know you have a long time to make a return, and the company has fairly loose standards for what condition the item has to be in, you're much more likely to buy something you're not entirely confident in purchasing. Related: Walmart's Sam's Club adds new perk to match Costco On the flip side, liberal return policies allow customers to take advantage. If a retailer allows it, certain people will use the item, then bring it back for a refund. Refunds are a large problem for the entire retail industry. Total returns were expected top $890 million in 2024, according to data from the National Retail Federation (NRF). "Return policies and expectations impact the consumer all throughout their shopping experience. 76% of consumers consider free returns a key factor in deciding where to shop, and 67% say a negative return experience would discourage them from shopping with a retailer again," according to the NRF. The problem is that giving consumer what they want tends to lead to increased costs. "Retailers must balance meeting consumer demand for seamless returns against rising costs. Fraudulent and abusive returns practices create both logistical and financial challenges for retailers. A majority (93%) of retailers said retail fraud and other exploitive behavior is a significant issue for their business. In terms of abuse, bracketing – purchasing multiple items with the intent to return some – has seen growth among younger consumers, with 51% of Gen Z consumers indicating they engage in this practice," the trade association added. Both Sephora and Ulta Beauty rely on younger customers and that makes changing their return policies to make them tighter a major negative. Both Sephora and Ulta Beauty changed their return windows for most purchases from 60 days to 30 days. The two beauty chains also tightened the rules around how items can be returned. Sephora's new policy went into effect for all purchases made on and after April 24, 2025. The retailer also made a minor change to its return policy, which it did not specify, on July 23. Ulta Beauty changed its returns policy in November, 2024, just before the holiday season. Both companies are taking a risk in making these changes, according to David Sobie, CEO of Happy Returns, which produces an annual report on returns with the NRF. "Return policies are no longer just a post-purchase consideration – they're shaping how younger generations shop from the start," said David Sobie, co-founder and CEO of Happy Returns. "With behaviors like bracketing and rising return rates putting strain on traditional systems, retailers need to rethink reverse logistics." More Retail Stocks: Home Depot has one surprising edge over Lowe's shoppers loveAT&T making move designed to outrage older AmericansLuxury giant behind Cartier, Van Cleef raises a red flag He suggested that there are strategies which can thread the needle between what's good for the retailer and what's good for the customers. "Solutions like no box/no label returns with item verification enable immediate refunds, meeting customer expectations for convenience while increasing accuracy, reducing fraud and helping to protect profitability in a competitive market," he added. Both Ulta Beauty and Sephora made the major change of moving from a 60-day return window for most returns to a 30-day window. Both also got more strict about the condition of the items being returned: Sephora's return policy: If you are not completely satisfied with a Sephora purchase or gift for any reason, Sephora welcomes you to return new or gently used products for a full refund to your original method of payment if returned within 30 days of purchase, in most cases. In order to complete the return, you must have a proof of purchase. See the full Sephora Returns policy here. Please review our return, refund, and exchange policies below for purchases made on purchases made in Sephora stores, and purchases made on third party on-demand delivery marketplaces such as Instacart, Doordash and Shipt. Products must be returned in new or gently used condition. Sephora monitors return activity for abuse and reserves the right to limit returns or exchanges at Sephora in all instances. Beauty Insider points and spend associated with all refunds will be removed when the transaction is processed. All returns are subject to validation and approval at Sephora's discretion. If a return is not approved by Sephora for any reason, the item may not be returned to you. We may ask you for a driver's license or government ID to verify your identity. Ulta Beauty's return policy Ulta Beauty is committed to making the return process simple and seamless for you. You can return most new or gently used products within 30 days of the original purchase date for a refund to the original form of payment, subject to refund restrictions below. Returns made from 31-60 days of the original purchase date are eligible for a merchandise credit. Returns must include all original components. See the full Ulta Beauty return policy here: A proof of purchase is required for any return unless we can verify the original purchase in our system. To offer the best experience, Ulta Beauty reserves the right to require a government-issued physical ID and phone number or email for any returns, and to limit returns if there's reason to suspect misuse of our policy, such as excessive returns, reseller activity, or fraud. All returns are subject to validation and approval at Ulta Beauty's discretion. Any products that are not verified within our system or are not otherwise accompanied by proof of purchase are ineligible for a refund, exchange or merchandise credit. Related: Lowe's, Home Depot add return policy that will outrage customers The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yemen Online
4 days ago
- Yemen Online
Yemeni Naval Forces Intercept Smuggled Weapons Shipment in Red Sea
Aden — Naval units of the Yemeni National Resistance Forces (NRF) successfully intercepted a vessel carrying a medium-sized shipment of smuggled weapons allegedly bound for Houthi militants. The operation, conducted near the international shipping corridor in the Red Sea, was based on prior intelligence provided by the NRF's military intelligence division. Upon boarding the suspicious vessel, Yemeni marines discovered a cache of armaments including anti-tank grenade launchers, sniper rifles, RPGs, and machine gun belts packed in sealed containers. The crew of the vessel was detained for investigation, and the ship was escorted to a secure location for further inspection. According to NRF officials, the seizure is part of ongoing efforts to curb illicit arms trafficking that threatens maritime security and regional stability.
