A Study on the Awareness of NEP 2020 in Higher Education Institutions Students in Birbhum District, West Bengal, India

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) represents the most comprehensive overhaul of India's education system in over three decades, introducing sweeping reforms at every level of schooling and higher education. This paper investigates the level of awareness among students enrolled in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Birbhum District, West Bengal, with respect to the key provisions, objectives, and structural changes mandated by NEP 2020. A descriptive survey method was employed, and data were collected from 320 students drawn from eight-degree colleges and one central university within the district using stratified random sampling. A self-structured, validated questionnaire was administered covering awareness of multidisciplinary education, credit transfer, academic bank of credits (ABC), the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), internationalisation, and vocational integration. The findings reveal that while a moderate level of general awareness about NEP 2020 exists among students (mean awareness score = 54.8%), awareness of specific programmatic provisions such as ABC, multiple entry-exit options, and internationalisation remains significantly low. Gender, stream of study, type of institution, and urban-rural location emerged as significant determinants of awareness levels. The study concludes with policy recommendations for targeted dissemination drives, faculty-led orientation programmes, and digital outreach campaigns to bridge the awareness gap.