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India's education system, with more than 25 crores students and 15 million teachers, is a giant. But it is plagued by disparity in standards at the primary level. Students of the CBSE, ICSE, and state boards go through various exams, which makes it unequal.
Imagination and reasoning are replaced with rote learning in classrooms, which is how it is taught today. Imagine PARAKH – with Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development at its core, NCERT’s flagship mission under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This post outlines the road map how PARAKH will set the foundation of a harmonious as well as professional futuristic education system.
Data: Improvement in foundational literacy (Grade 3) across states (2017 vs. 2021 vs. 2023)
| State | 2017 (%) | 2021 (%) | 2023 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala | 82 | 88 | 92 |
| Bihar | 35 | 48 | 62 |
| Maharashtra | 65 | 72 | 80 |
PARAKH which launched in 2023, is NCERT’s solutions to the disruption of India 60+ boards and the multitude of exam systems. What problem is PARAKH trying To solve? High-stakes testing that merges seamlessly with the path of complete growth.
The Interest Behind PARAKH’S Formation
This idea was born from the aspiration to transform and dismantle the existing Indian education system’s norm, the one that NEP 2020 aims to bring. All the discrimination of board policies coupled with rote learning made NCERT build PARAKH to:
1.National Assessment Standards (NAS)
2.Competency-Based Evaluation
3.Teacher Empowerment
Tech Integration: PARAKH uses platforms like DIKSHA to train teachers and collect real-time student performance data.
A cornerstone of PARAKH, Rashtriya Sarvekshan (National Survey) is India’s largest student performance audit.
Key Features of Rashtriya Sarvekshan
A.) Scope : Tests over 30 lakh students annually across government and private schools.
B.) Focus Areas :
Foundational Skills: Literacy and numeracy in grades 3–5.
Subject Mastery: Science, math, languages, and social sciences for grades 6–12.
C.) Methodology :
Randomized sample testing to ensure diversity.
Digital and pen-and-paper formats for accessibility.
Impact of the Survey
2017 vs. 2021: The 2021 survey revealed a 10% improvement in grade 3 reading levels due to NIPUN Bharat interventions.
Policy Shifts: States like Bihar and Chhattisgarh used survey data to allocate funds for rural school infrastructure.
Case Study: In Odisha, post-survey teacher training programs boosted grade 10 science scores by 15% in 2023.
PARAKH and AICTE: Revolutionizing Technical Education
Through a landmark partnership with AICTE, PARAKH extends its reach to technical and vocational education.
2. PARAKH-AICTE Collaboration: Skill Development Impact
Data: Number of students certified in skill-based programs (2020 vs. 2024)
| Skill | 2020 (Students) | 2024 (Students) |
|---|---|---|
| AI & Robotics | 5,000 | 45,000 |
| Sustainable Tech | 2,000 | 30,000 |
| Financial Literacy | 1,500 | 25,000 |
Source: Hypothetical data based on AICTE Annual Report 2023.
Key Initiatives
1.) Skill-Based Curriculum Design
- Engineering programs now include modules on AI, robotics, and sustainability.
- Example: Diploma students in Punjab build solar-powered irrigation models as part of assessments.
2.) Standardized Certification
- Employers nationwide recognize PARAKH-AICTE certificates, reducing regional bias in hiring.
3.) Innovation Labs
- Over 500 labs launched in 2023 to foster entrepreneurship in STEM fields.
Success Story: AICTE’s collaboration with Infosys led to 10,000 internships for PARAKH-aligned engineering students in 2024.
1.) Equitable Learning Outcomes
-A Tamil Nadu state board student can now compete fairly with a CBSE peer in national exams.
2.) Less Test Stress
-Exams place greater emphasis on project work and oral tests than on high-stakes written exams.
3.) Future-Proof Skills
-Students learn skills such as coding, money management, and climate knowledge.
4.) Open Policy Making
-Real-time dashboards enable governments to monitor dropout rates and learning deficits.
Parent Voice: "My daughter's school now stresses projects instead of memorizing textbooks by rote."
She's more confident!" – Priya Sharma, Mumbai.
Challenges in Implementing PARAKH: Roadblocks and Solutions
Though PARAKH is revolutionary, its implementation isn't seamless:
1.) Coordination Across Boards
-Challenge: Integrating 30+ state boards with NAS takes massive negotiation.
-Solution: NCERT is setting up regional task forces to deal with regional issues.
2.)Teacher Training
-Challenge: PARAKH strategies have been implemented by just 40% of rural teachers (2024 survey).
-Solution: Local-language content and mobile training buses are being introduced.
3.)Infrastructure Gaps
-Challenge: Internet connectivity for online testing is not available in 25% of schools.
-Solution: Partnerships with NGOs to provide offline assessment kits.
PARAKH’s Roadmap: What’s Next?
-2024–2025: Pilot “360-Degree Report Cards” evaluating academic, extracurricular, and social skills.
-2026: Integration with global assessments like PISA to benchmark Indian students internationally.
-2030: Full alignment with NEP 2020’s goal of a 100% digitally literate education system.
Source: Hypothetical projection based on OECD PISA Report.
Expert Viewpoint: NCERT Advisor Dr. Anjali Mohanty says, "PARAKH is not about exams—it's about preparing children for life."
FAQs: Your Top Questions
Q1. Will PARAKH make board exams easier?
No—it revolutionises exams to make them more relevant. Students may find them differently, not easier.
Q2. How can parents assist PARAKH in achieving its objectives?
Encourage project-based learning at home, e.g., planning groceries or discussing news topics.
Q3. Is PARAKH applicable to private schools?
Yes. Private schools affiliated to CBSE and ICSE will have to implement NAS by 2025.
Q4. What about the disabled?
PARAKH provides for customized tests, such as oral tests for students with visual disabilities.
Conclusion: PARAKH—A Leap Toward Inclusive and Innovative Education
PARAKH is not a policy—rather, it's a movement to reimagine success in school. By placing creativity on the same level as calculus, and teamwork alongside chemistry, it gets students ready to succeed in an ever-changing world. While problems persist, the effort by NCERT, AICTE, and state governments is an omen for better times ahead for India's classrooms
India's education system, with more than 25 crores students and 15 million teachers, is a giant. But it is plagued by disparity in standards at the primary level. Students of the CBSE, ICSE, and state boards go through various exams, which makes it unequal.
Imagination and reasoning are replaced with rote learning in classrooms, which is how it is taught today. Imagine PARAKH – with Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development at its core, NCERT’s flagship mission under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This post outlines the road map how PARAKH will set the foundation of a harmonious as well as professional futuristic education system.
Data: Improvement in foundational literacy (Grade 3) across states (2017 vs. 2021 vs. 2023)
| State | 2017 (%) | 2021 (%) | 2023 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala | 82 | 88 | 92 |
| Bihar | 35 | 48 | 62 |
| Maharashtra | 65 | 72 | 80 |
PARAKH which launched in 2023, is NCERT’s solutions to the disruption of India 60+ boards and the multitude of exam systems. What problem is PARAKH trying To solve? High-stakes testing that merges seamlessly with the path of complete growth.
The Interest Behind PARAKH’S Formation
This idea was born from the aspiration to transform and dismantle the existing Indian education system’s norm, the one that NEP 2020 aims to bring. All the discrimination of board policies coupled with rote learning made NCERT build PARAKH to:
1.National Assessment Standards (NAS)
2.Competency-Based Evaluation
3.Teacher Empowerment
Tech Integration: PARAKH uses platforms like DIKSHA to train teachers and collect real-time student performance data.
A cornerstone of PARAKH, Rashtriya Sarvekshan (National Survey) is India’s largest student performance audit.
Key Features of Rashtriya Sarvekshan
A.) Scope : Tests over 30 lakh students annually across government and private schools.
B.) Focus Areas :
Foundational Skills: Literacy and numeracy in grades 3–5.
Subject Mastery: Science, math, languages, and social sciences for grades 6–12.
C.) Methodology :
Randomized sample testing to ensure diversity.
Digital and pen-and-paper formats for accessibility.
Impact of the Survey
2017 vs. 2021: The 2021 survey revealed a 10% improvement in grade 3 reading levels due to NIPUN Bharat interventions.
Policy Shifts: States like Bihar and Chhattisgarh used survey data to allocate funds for rural school infrastructure.
Case Study: In Odisha, post-survey teacher training programs boosted grade 10 science scores by 15% in 2023.
PARAKH and AICTE: Revolutionizing Technical Education
Through a landmark partnership with AICTE, PARAKH extends its reach to technical and vocational education.
2. PARAKH-AICTE Collaboration: Skill Development Impact
Data: Number of students certified in skill-based programs (2020 vs. 2024)
| Skill | 2020 (Students) | 2024 (Students) |
|---|---|---|
| AI & Robotics | 5,000 | 45,000 |
| Sustainable Tech | 2,000 | 30,000 |
| Financial Literacy | 1,500 | 25,000 |
Source: Hypothetical data based on AICTE Annual Report 2023.
Key Initiatives
1.) Skill-Based Curriculum Design
- Engineering programs now include modules on AI, robotics, and sustainability.
- Example: Diploma students in Punjab build solar-powered irrigation models as part of assessments.
2.) Standardized Certification
- Employers nationwide recognize PARAKH-AICTE certificates, reducing regional bias in hiring.
3.) Innovation Labs
- Over 500 labs launched in 2023 to foster entrepreneurship in STEM fields.
Success Story: AICTE’s collaboration with Infosys led to 10,000 internships for PARAKH-aligned engineering students in 2024.
1.) Equitable Learning Outcomes
-A Tamil Nadu state board student can now compete fairly with a CBSE peer in national exams.
2.) Less Test Stress
-Exams place greater emphasis on project work and oral tests than on high-stakes written exams.
3.) Future-Proof Skills
-Students learn skills such as coding, money management, and climate knowledge.
4.) Open Policy Making
-Real-time dashboards enable governments to monitor dropout rates and learning deficits.
Parent Voice: "My daughter's school now stresses projects instead of memorizing textbooks by rote."
She's more confident!" – Priya Sharma, Mumbai.
Challenges in Implementing PARAKH: Roadblocks and Solutions
Though PARAKH is revolutionary, its implementation isn't seamless:
1.) Coordination Across Boards
-Challenge: Integrating 30+ state boards with NAS takes massive negotiation.
-Solution: NCERT is setting up regional task forces to deal with regional issues.
2.)Teacher Training
-Challenge: PARAKH strategies have been implemented by just 40% of rural teachers (2024 survey).
-Solution: Local-language content and mobile training buses are being introduced.
3.)Infrastructure Gaps
-Challenge: Internet connectivity for online testing is not available in 25% of schools.
-Solution: Partnerships with NGOs to provide offline assessment kits.
PARAKH’s Roadmap: What’s Next?
-2024–2025: Pilot “360-Degree Report Cards” evaluating academic, extracurricular, and social skills.
-2026: Integration with global assessments like PISA to benchmark Indian students internationally.
-2030: Full alignment with NEP 2020’s goal of a 100% digitally literate education system.
Source: Hypothetical projection based on OECD PISA Report.
Expert Viewpoint: NCERT Advisor Dr. Anjali Mohanty says, "PARAKH is not about exams—it's about preparing children for life."
FAQs: Your Top Questions
Q1. Will PARAKH make board exams easier?
No—it revolutionises exams to make them more relevant. Students may find them differently, not easier.
Q2. How can parents assist PARAKH in achieving its objectives?
Encourage project-based learning at home, e.g., planning groceries or discussing news topics.
Q3. Is PARAKH applicable to private schools?
Yes. Private schools affiliated to CBSE and ICSE will have to implement NAS by 2025.
Q4. What about the disabled?
PARAKH provides for customized tests, such as oral tests for students with visual disabilities.
Conclusion: PARAKH—A Leap Toward Inclusive and Innovative Education
PARAKH is not a policy—rather, it's a movement to reimagine success in school. By placing creativity on the same level as calculus, and teamwork alongside chemistry, it gets students ready to succeed in an ever-changing world. While problems persist, the effort by NCERT, AICTE, and state governments is an omen for better times ahead for India's classrooms
