Implementation Of Nep 2020 In Undergraduate Colleges Of Murshidabad District, West Bengal: From Policy To Practice

The introduction of four-year undergraduate curricular framework under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a pivotal moment for higher education institutions in India. Although it has been framed to reshape India’s higher education landscape, however its implementation has revealed significant challenges across rural and semi-urban regions of India. This study critically examines the operational realities and the gaps between policy design and practical execution of NEP 2020 in twenty-five government-aided degree colleges of Murshidabad district, West Bengal. On the basis of the statistical and empirical data this study identifies the infrastructural, administrative and pedagogical constraints that hinder effective implementation of new policy. It also highlights the limitations in integrating interdisciplinary and research-oriented approaches, as well as restricted academic autonomy and flexibility - prime emphasis of NEP 2020. Thus, the degree colleges of Murshidabd offers important insights into the more general difficulties of putting higher education changes into practice in environments with limited resources.