Abstract

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is the new education policy of India, approved on 29 July 2020 by the Union Cabinet of India. Its main objective is to upgrade the education system of India. It emphasizes the holistic development of individuals, starting from preschool to higher education, by providing opportunities to develop different facets of their potential and preparing them to encounter the challenges of the 21st century. This paper Exert to analyze the provisions mentioned under NEP 2020 for school education and how these provisions are beneficial in shaping the educational aspirations of secondary school students. The paper discusses the theoretical background and the factors influencing students' educational aspirations in the school setting. The school environment, teacher-student relationship, curriculum, learning experience, and students' academic performance significantly influence their educational aspirations. Overall, the discussion and conclusion of this paper indicate that NEP 2020 will have a crucial role in shaping students' aspirations by opening vastly different flexible educational and career options, developing a multidisciplinary understanding of subjects, cultivating a love for lifelong learning, integrating technical and vocational education into mainstream education, providing a safe and engaging learning environment, and quality education to all.