A new chapter in Indian education is unfolding and it begins with SKILLS! Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled India’s next big education leap where skill-based learning will be part of the Classes 11–12 curriculum as a core subject. But this landmark move isn’t just about new subjects or lesson plans, it’s about reimagining what learning means in a future-ready world..
This Children’s Day, get a head start on change by understanding what students need and how schools can prepare as we move toward a skill-first learning model that nurtures readiness, creativity, and real-world impact.
True to NEP 2020's framework of holistic, multidisciplinary education, this initiative redefines education as a journey of doing not just knowing by marking a shift from rote-learning to real-world readiness. Though the final curriculum is still being shaped, the new skill-based approach is expected to highlight key areas such as:
Vocational skills
Digital literacy and coding
Critical-thinking and communication
Life skills and ethics
Ready to reimagine learning through skills? Here’s your quick guide to India’s big move toward skill-first education and what you need to know about it:
Make Skills the New Core Subject
Until now, skill-based education in schools was more of an add-on than a necessity. That’s about to change. Starting with Classes 11 and 12, and possibly as early as Class 6, students will learn practical, job-ready skills in the form of a core subject, right alongside academics.
Aligning with NEP 2020
NEP 2020 reimagines education as holistic, multidisciplinary, and hands-on, and this reform brings that vision to life. With skill-based education in senior school, the aim is to turn classrooms into launchpads for innovation, helping students apply what they learn and step confidently into higher education and the workplace.
Teachers & Curriculum Lead the Way
Educators will be trained to blend academics with skill-based methods by learning how to design practical projects, assessments and experiential learning activities. The curriculum will be designed for industry relevance, helping students build skills aligned with today’s and tomorrow’s job demands.
With Extramarks Smart Class Plus, schools can bring this to life by offering interactive lessons, digital tools, and analytics that make competency-based learning simple and truly effective.
Crafting A Global-Ready Education System
This move embodies India’s long-term vision of an education system that’s modern, inclusive, and rooted in real-world relevance. By embedding skill-based learning into secondary and senior secondary education, the goal is to prepare workforce-ready graduates and make classrooms more connected to future opportunities.
This shift to skill-based learning puts teachers right at the heart of transformation. It’s your creativity, curiosity, and courage that can truly turn lessons into life skills. With the right tools and mindset, every lesson can spark ability and ambition. After all, the future won’t wait, so why should our teaching ?
