Place of Physical Education in National Education Policy- 2020

Without education, all-round development of a man is impossible. Only with the knowledge of education a person's future can become bright. The country can progress only through educated citizens. Keeping this objective in mind, the first National Education Policy of India was declared by the Government of India on July 24, 1986, in which efforts for equality of educational opportunities, emphasis was laid on science and technical education and there were continuous changes done in the education policy as per the time. Presently the New Education Policy2020 was announced on 29 July 2020. In this education policy, special emphasis was given to the study of physical education. The new NEP has many important components which are essential for the overall development of students. The National Education Policy- 2020 emphasizes on including sports and physical education as a part of the curriculum. ‘Health is wealth’– the old saying goes. Head, heart and soul reside in the body and physical education and yoga provide good health to all of them. The status of physical education, yoga and sports in all levels ofeducational curriculum can indicate a positive and self-confident youth, who can contribute to the development of the nation. The NEP-2020 envisages inclusion of physical education, sports, yoga and mental health, thereby enhancing their current position in the respective curriculum. This is the first change made in the education policy of India after the education policy of 1986. But, Is the importance of physical education and its spread increasing in the National Education Policy? This research paper is noteworthy in this perspective.