NIEPA at 19: Institute Maps Education Reforms to Equip India for the ‘Emerging New World’

NIEPA’s international footprint continues to expand, with the upcoming International Programme for Educational Administrators (IPEA) set to host 982 trainees from 95 countries.

The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) marked its 19th Foundation Day with a strong push to accelerate India’s education reforms, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and preparing the country’s learners for the demands of a fast-changing global order.

NIEPA Vice-Chancellor Prof Shashikala Wanjari set out the institute’s vision to boost the Gross Enrolment Ratio to 50% by 2035, strengthen multidisciplinary and skill-based education, and build resilience among learners to face 21st-century challenges. “Our approach is designed to prepare students as catalysts for social and economic change,” she said, adding that NIEPA’s programmes increasingly integrate technology, creativity, and global collaboration.

The event also highlighted NIEPA’s role in driving NEP 2020 implementation through initiatives such as its Professional Development Programme on “Education 4.0” — incorporating Generative AI, interactive e-content, and advanced online teaching tools — and its national workshops for school leaders, university administrators, and education policymakers.

NIEPA’s international footprint continues to expand, with the upcoming International Programme for Educational Administrators (IPEA) set to host 982 trainees from 95 countries, fostering cross-border exchange of ideas in educational planning and governance.

In his keynote address, chief guest Dr Ram Madhav, President of the India Foundation, called education a “patriotic duty” in preparing India for the emerging new world. “True education does not merely inform; it inspires creativity, liberates the mind, and builds character,” he said, urging reforms that enable India to lead globally with innovation and compassion.

The celebrations also included a felicitation ceremony for NIEPA employees and scholars, recognising contributions that have helped shape the institute’s reputation as a premier centre for research, capacity building, and policy influence in education.