Marking the 5th anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled a series of transformative digital and infrastructure initiatives under the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, at the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam held in the national capital.
🔹 Major Initiatives Launched
1. TARA App Portal – AI-Driven Reading Fluency Assessment
In a significant move towards competency-based learning, the Technology-Assisted Reading Assessment (TARA) App was launched to assess and enhance reading fluency among students in Grades 3–8.
Key Features:
- Automated Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) assessments using advanced speech processing and AI.
- Multilingual support (currently English and Hindi).
- Comprehensive evaluation of reading speed, phrasing, intonation, and expression.
- Deployed in 1,200 Kendriya Vidyalayas, benefiting over 7 lakh students.
- Offers real-time data for teachers to personalize instruction and supports evidence-based policymaking.
2. My Career Advisor App – Personalized Career Guidance for Students
Developed in collaboration with the Wadhwani Foundation and PSSCIVE (a constituent of NCERT), the My Career Advisor App empowers students to make informed career choices.
Highlights:
- Access to 1,000+ career pathways with detailed job profiles, qualifications, skills, and opportunities.
- AI-based recommendation engine tailored to students’ interests, aptitudes, and values.
- Designed for easy access by students, teachers, counselors, and career advisors.
This initiative aligns with NEP 2020’s goal of providing holistic, student-centric, and future-ready education.
3. Swachh Evam Harit Vidyalaya Rating (SHVR) 2025–26
The SHVR system introduces a five-star rating framework for promoting clean, safe, and green schools, based on 60 indicators across six domains:
- Water, sanitation, handwashing, maintenance, behavior change, and Mission LiFE environmental actions.
- Developed with NCERT, NIC, and UNICEF, the system includes simplified tools and digital platforms for evaluation.
- Top-performing schools will receive recognition at district, state, and national levels, with 200 schools to be awarded nationally.
🔹 Flagship Infrastructure Milestones Unveiled
To advance equitable infrastructure development, foundation stones were laid and inaugurations held for several key institutions:
Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) & Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS)
- 7 new KVs inaugurated and dormitories/staff quarters added at 11 NVS campuses across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- 22 KVS projects were identified for dedication to the nation.
- Under PM SHRI, 613 district-level model schools, 24 top KVs, and 7 best-performing NVSs were recognized.
CBSE & NCERT Projects
- New CBSE Regional Office building inaugurated in Patna.
- Foundation stones laid for the Regional Institute of Education (RIE) in Nellore and the Central Administrative Building at NCERT Headquarters, New Delhi.
🔹 NEP-Aligned Tribal Education & Upliftment Initiatives
PM-JANMAN (Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan)
Focused on uplifting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):
- 492 hostels sanctioned across 5668 habitations, covering 88 lakh tribal population, with an outlay of ₹1234.58 crore.
- On NEP’s anniversary, foundation stones laid for 75 hostels across 8 states.
DA-JGUA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan)
Aimed at saturating 63,000+ tribal villages with essential education infrastructure:
- 692 hostels approved with a total cost of ₹2512.03 crore.
- On July 29, foundation stones were laid for 309 hostels across 12 states under Samagra Shiksha.
🗣️ Union Minister’s Remarks
Speaking at the event, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the transformative impact of NEP 2020 in reshaping India’s educational ecosystem.
“As we work toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the National Education Policy continues to guide our national mission, ensuring inclusive, tech-enabled, and outcome-driven education for all.”
📌 Summary: Milestones at a Glance
| Initiative | Focus Area | Key Impact |
| TARA App | Reading Fluency | 7 lakh+ students assessed |
| My Career Advisor | Career Guidance | 1000+ career pathways available |
| SHVR | Sustainability & Hygiene | 200 schools to be nationally awarded |
| PM-JANMAN | Tribal Hostels (PVTGs) | 492 hostels sanctioned |
| DA-JGUA | Tribal Education Access | 692 hostels approved |
| PM SHRI | Model Schools | 613 schools honored |
As India moves into the next phase of NEP 2020 implementation, today’s announcements reaffirm the government’s commitment to building a personalized, inclusive, and sustainable school education ecosystem—paving the way for a more empowered and educated nation.
