Northeast States Seek Region-Specific Framework for NEP 2020

Northeast states are seeking a region-specific framework for implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with education ministers and policymakers arguing that the region’s difficult terrain, scattered settlements, small schools, linguistic diversity, infrastructure gaps and uneven teacher deployment require greater flexibility in applying national education norms.

The demand emerged at the two-day Northeast Education Conclave 2026 in Chumoukedima, Nagaland, organised by the Department of Higher Education, Nagaland, under the theme “Implementation of NEP 2020: Vision, Challenges & Opportunities for the North Eastern States.” The conclave brought together policymakers, educators and administrators from the eight northeastern states to develop a collaborative approach to implementation.

Mizoram Education Minister Dr Vanlalthlana called for a separate index and system for hilly areas, saying several NEP and Right to Education provisions were designed primarily for plains. He also sought separate construction norms for hill regions and terrain-sensitive criteria for school access, staffing and infrastructure.

The proposal comes amid major variations in school size and enrollment. Vanlalthlana said government schools account for around 80% of schools in Nagaland but only 33% of enrolment. UDISE+ data cited at the conclave recorded 3,965 schools, 2,84,270 students and 25,282 teachers in Mizoram, while the state has 1,655 government schools with fewer than 50 students. Around 45.7% of Mizoram villages reportedly lack higher secondary schools within prescribed norms, while its secondary GER is 77%, against 81.5% nationally, and its primary dropout rate is 6.35%, compared with 1.5% nationally.

The wider Northeast had 96,496 schools, 79 universities, 1,001 colleges and 224 standalone higher and technical institutions, according to government data. The region also has 622 Atal Tinkering Labs. Under Samagra Shiksha, the Centre-State funding ratio for the eight northeastern states is 90:10, but participants flagged the need for additional resources for hill construction, transport, hostels, connectivity and multilingual materials.

Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Jagadish K. Patnaik stressed accessibility, equity, quality, multilingualism and indigenous knowledge, while Temjen Imna Along highlighted employability and critical thinking. Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu emphasised IT, media and technology literacy, research and innovation.

Tripura Minister Kishor Barman called for preserving language and culture alongside AI, digital technology and entrepreneurship. Vanlalthlana also proposed that the eight education ministers meet twice a year under the North Eastern Council (NEC) to submit joint proposals based on regional needs.

The conclave is expected to work towards sharing best practices, institutional resources and capacity-building initiatives. The emerging approach seeks to retain NEP 2020’s national objectives while adapting implementation to the Northeast’s geography, culture and educational realities.