SRINAGAR: The Union Government has stepped up integration of skill-based and vocational education across school curricula in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introducing practical learning modules from middle school, dedicated skill subjects, digital labs and expanded teaching in regional and mother tongues, the Ministry of Education informed Parliament on Monday.
Responding to a starred question in the Lok Sabha, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the reforms aim to embed employability skills, dignity of labour and hands-on learning within mainstream education rather than treating vocational streams as separate tracks.
Under the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), skill education has been institutionalised from the middle and secondary stages, with dedicated learning hours for crafts, practical exposure and project-based activities designed to build foundational and transferable skills.
As part of this effort, the government has introduced the concept of 10 “bagless days” for students in Classes 6 to 8, during which children engage in experiential learning and practical work instead of regular classroom instruction. A separate skill subject has also been introduced at the middle stage to provide exposure across three areas — life forms, machines and materials, and human services — without early specialisation.
To support this, NCERT has developed ‘Kaushal Bodh’ textbooks for Classes 6 to 8 and is promoting “Lok Vidya”, encouraging students to learn local knowledge systems and skills such as art, handicrafts, natural farming and tourism.
At the secondary and senior secondary levels (Classes 9 to 12), skill curricula and textbooks aligned with the National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) have been prepared around specific job roles. The government said 138 job roles and skill subjects have been approved so far for students in these classes.
Skill modules are offered as an additional subject in Classes 9 and 10, while at the senior secondary level, skill courses are offered as a compulsory elective. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) currently offers 22 skill subjects for Classes 9–10 and 43 subjects for Classes 11–12.
The Centre is providing financial assistance to States and Union Territories under the Samagra Shiksha scheme to implement vocational courses, train teachers and strengthen infrastructure. Regular training programmes are being conducted to equip skill teachers with practical and industry exposure.
To address resource gaps, NCERT has also developed e-learning materials, videos and virtual skill labs, enabling blended learning that combines online theory with offline practical training.
The Ministry said the NCF-SE 2023 aligns closely with NEP’s vision of holistic education by integrating arts, sciences, sports, languages and skills, and by shifting focus from rote learning to competencies, critical thinking and experiential learning. Assessment reforms include progress reports that capture overall development rather than relying solely on marks-based exams.
On language policy, the government reiterated that NEP 2020 promotes the mother tongue or home language as the medium of instruction at the foundational and preparatory stages, citing research that children between ages two and eight acquire languages faster and benefit cognitively from multilingual exposure.
The Centre is assisting States in developing textbooks in all 22 scheduled Indian languages and English through NCERT. Multilingual resources such as primers and the foundational learning kit “Jaadui Pitara” are being supplied in both physical and digital formats. Teacher training under the NISHTHA programme includes modules on multilingual and mother tongue-based pedagogy.
Initiatives like Bhasha Sangam, Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav and Bhartiya Bhasha Summer Camps are also being implemented to promote linguistic diversity in schools.
To monitor implementation, States prepare annual plans under Samagra Shiksha and the PM SHRI schools programme, which are reviewed and approved by the Project Approval Board. The Centre tracks financial and physical progress through the PRABANDH digital system, with periodic reviews, consultations and mid-term assessments to ensure compliance with programme norms.
The Ministry said the measures are aimed at creating a school system where academic knowledge, practical skills and language-based learning develop together, equipping students with both higher education pathways and job-ready competencies.
