Education for Sustainable Development: Community Engagement and Social Responsibility in the NEP-2020 Era

This paper explores the alignment between India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the NIPUN Bharat Mission in fostering an education system that is inclusive, experiential, and sustainability-oriented. By embedding service-based community learning into educational frameworks, these policies aim to create ethical, environmentally responsible, and socially aware citizens. The study highlights how foundational literacy and numeracy, promoted through NIPUN Bharat and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, are essential for equitable development. Community engagement emerges as a pivotal force in addressing ecological challenges, strengthening intergenerational bonds, and cultivating empathy through interactions with vulnerable populations. Through participatory learning and civic responsibility, this integrated approach supports the creation of climate-resilient and socially cohesive communities. The paper underscores the evolving role of communities—from traditional to digital—in driving transformational change and achieving both educational and sustainable development outcomes.