“Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man,” Swami Vivekananda once said. His words still ring true today as India reclaims its place as a global centre of learning. From the revival of Nalanda University to the expansion of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) abroad, the country is not only educating its youth but also sharing its knowledge traditions with the world. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, education has become central to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047—a developed, self-reliant India that also contributes to the global knowledge economy.
The Legacy of Nalanda
India’s historic role as a hub of intellectual exchange is best embodied by Nalanda University. Founded in the 5th century CE, Nalanda once attracted scholars from China, Tibet, Korea, and Central Asia. Its recent revival in Rajgir in 2024, inaugurated by PM Modi, was more than a symbolic gesture. With 17 countries partnering in this modern campus, Nalanda is once again becoming a bridge between past and future. Its curriculum—blending sustainability, global studies, and technology with ancient wisdom—proves that knowledge is both timeless and borderless. As the Prime Minister said, “Fire can burn books but it cannot destroy knowledge.”
CBSE Goes Global
Perhaps the most striking development is the government’s plan to transform CBSE into an international board by 2026. Already, there are 109 CBSE-affiliated schools in the UAE alone, catering to the large Indian diaspora. The expansion will put CBSE on par with international curricula like IB and Cambridge, but with a distinctly Indian identity that emphasizes values, affordability, and competency-based learning.
For Indian families abroad, this means cultural continuity. For host nations, it offers a tested, high-quality yet cost-effective education model. And for India, it represents global recognition of its education system—a form of soft power that strengthens India’s role in shaping the next generation worldwide.
Innovation as a Driver
But India’s education push is not just about exporting syllabi; it is about nurturing innovators. Through the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) have been set up across 722 districts, engaging more than 1.1 crore students in hands-on STEM projects. These labs are democratizing innovation: rural students have built low-cost water purifiers, while young coders are developing apps to help the differently abled.
The government plans to scale ATLs to 50,000 labs, ensuring innovation is not the privilege of a few but a mainstream school activity. This aligns Indian students with global needs in AI, robotics, and green technologies, preparing them for leadership in future industries.
Global Talent, Local Roots
The results of this investment are already visible. Indian-origin professionals lead tech companies like Google and Microsoft, teach in Ivy League universities, and contribute across industries worldwide. At the same time, India is fostering local ecosystems: over 3,500 startups incubated under AIM have created 32,000 jobs. This dual success—Indians thriving globally while India builds capacity locally—creates a virtuous cycle that strengthens both the country’s reputation and resilience.
Looking Ahead
The Union Budget 2025 reinforced this vision with allocations for PM SHRI schools, digital platforms, teacher training, and scholarships. The focus is clear: without world-class schools and universities, India cannot harness its demographic dividend or achieve its 2047 goals.
By reviving ancient institutions like Nalanda, globalizing CBSE, and scaling innovation labs, India is creating an education model that blends heritage with modernity. The world is noticing: Nalanda is attracting foreign students, CBSE schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are setting benchmarks, and Indian innovators are winning global awards.
Conclusion
India’s education story is entering a new era—one where local brilliance resonates globally. If sustained with equity, quality, and vision, India will not just prepare its youth for jobs but prepare the nation for leadership in the knowledge economy. Just as it did centuries ago, India can once again gift the world what it always has: the light of wisdom.
Also Read: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/cabinet-approves-57-new-kendriya-vidyalayas-with-pre-primary-balvatikas-2796258-2025-10-01
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