MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN THE CONTEXT OF HIGHER EDUCATION: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NEP 2020

Abstract

The researcher examines the transformative impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on India's higher education system, with a particular emphasis on the shift towards a multidisciplinary approach. Historically, India's educational framework has been characterized by rigid disciplinary boundaries. NEP 2020 advocates a holistic, flexible curriculum that integrates diverse fields, including the humanities, sciences, and vocational studies. This paper examines the evolution of multidisciplinary education, its various dimensions cognitive, pedagogical, curricular, technological, and organizational, and its alignment with the objectives of NEP 2020. The researcher utilizes secondary data from academic journals, policy documents, and institutional reports to analyze the policy's implementation and its challenges, including faculty readiness, curriculum integration, and institutional resistance. Findings suggest that adopting a multidisciplinary approach is crucial for developing students' adaptive, critical, and creative skills, thereby preparing them for the complex global challenges they will face. The study underscores the need for systemic reforms to foster an inclusive, flexible, and student-centered higher education ecosystem in India.