The Ministry of Education provided a comprehensive update on the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 initiatives in skill-based and digital education. In school education, skill education has been integrated as a regular component under Samagra Shiksha for Classes VI to XII, with specific provisions including 10 bagless days and pre-vocational education for Classes VI-VIII, and NSQF-aligned skill courses as additional/elective subjects for Classes IX-XII.
In higher education, skill-based education is supported through Community Colleges, B.Voc. Degree Programmes, and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Centres. The UGC and AICTE have issued Guidelines for Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) 2025, which combines academic learning with structured apprenticeship through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). Programmes in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security, Quantum Technology, Space Technology, Sustainable Energy, Internet of Things, Robotics and Semiconductors further support skill development.
Digital initiatives include PM eVidya and DIKSHA under Samagra Shiksha, with funds provided for ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms based on State requirements. PM eVidya, initiated on 17th May 2020, unifies digital/online/on-air education efforts with 200 DTH TV channels and 400 Radio channels for supplementary education in Indian languages. DIKSHA serves as the national digital platform with over 3.67 lakh content pieces in mother tongue/local/regional languages, supporting 579.41 crore learning sessions for 2.29 crore users. The platform offers 836 Virtual Labs and supports both online and offline access.
Infrastructure developments include the Budget 2025 announcement of broadband connectivity to all Government Secondary schools in rural areas under the BharatNet project by BSNL. To bridge the urban-rural divide, Samagra Shiksha focuses on equal opportunities, equitable learning outcomes, and inclusion. Higher education digital platforms include SWAYAM, SWAYAM Prabha, e-PG Pathshala, and the UGC e-resource portal integrated with Digital Seva Portal for access through Common Service Centres.
The Union Budget 2026-27 announced Viability Gap Funding for girls' hostels in Higher Education STEM institutions in every district, while Budget 2025-2026 announced Bhartiya Bhasha Pustak Yojana for digital-form Indian language books. These measures collectively support access to education and digital learning opportunities across different regions.