NEP 2020 to Shape India’s Education Future: VP Radhakrishnan

New Delhi, , 2026 Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday described the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as an important pillar of India’s educational development, covering the journey from kindergarten to PhD. Speaking at SASTRA Deemed University’s Ruby and Silver Jubilee Valedictory Celebrations in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, he highlighted innovation, skill development and responsible social media use as key priorities for young people. Radhakrishnan congratulated SASTRA on its academic milestones and appreciated its contribution to national development. He praised the education policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted initiatives including the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, PM Research Fellowship, PM-Vidyalaxmi and the Multiple Entry-Multiple Exit system. He also said India’s higher education Gross Enrolment Ratio could rise from around 30 per cent to 50 per cent by 2035. Addressing students, the Vice President urged them to value time, continuously improve their skills and pursue innovation. He advised young people to limit social media use and stay away from narcotic drugs. “Say no to narcotic drugs. Say Yes to Your Health and Say Yes to Your Life,” he said. During the event, six SASTRA initiatives were launched, covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, research, internationalisation, faculty development and student engagement. Radhakrishnan said the new initiatives could support SASTRA’s future growth and welcomed its partnership with Tata Communications in cybersecurity and networking. He said the university’s efforts were aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 through research, innovation, entrepreneurship, capacity building and industry collaboration. He expressed confidence that SASTRA would continue developing as a “temple of learning and excellence” and contribute to India’s development journey.