Abstract

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) marks a defining moment in the evolution of Indian higher education. It envisions a system that is multidisciplinary inclusive research-oriented and globally competitive while remaining rooted in India’s civilizational ethos. This paper examines how NEP 2020 has influenced universities between 2020 and 2025 focusing on its structural reforms philosophical underpinnings and practical outcomes. The policy’s central ideals—access equity quality affordability and accountability—represent a paradigm shift from rote learning to holistic creative and ethical education. The establishment of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) illustrates a new vision of governance and learner mobility. Early indicators such as the rise in Gross Enrolment Ratio from 26.3 percent in 2019 to 30.2 percent in 2024 greater female participation and the expansion of multidisciplinary