Northeast states seek a dedicated education ministers’ forum, stronger Centre-state coordination and regional collaboration to accelerate NEP 2020 implementation, improve learning outcomes, expand research and skills, and promote innovation, entrepreneurship and indigenous knowledge across the region.
The two-day Education Conclave 2026, focused on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the Northeast, concluded in Nagaland on Saturday with participating states calling for stronger Centre-state coordination and the creation of a dedicated forum of education ministers to accelerate educational transformation across the region.
Held on the theme “Implementation of NEP 2020: Vision, Challenges and Opportunities for the North Eastern States,” the conclave brought together representatives from all seven Northeastern states, along with participants from 32 schools and technical colleges. Officials said a total of 748 participants attended the two-day programme.
The valedictory function was held at J.P. Park and Banquets in Naga United Village, Chumoukedima, where education officials and representatives discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing NEP 2020 in the Northeastern states.
Anandrao V. Patel, Additional Secretary in the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education, highlighted the potential of NEP 2020 to expand equitable access to higher education and encourage multidisciplinary learning across the country.
Patel said the policy could play an important role in strengthening skills, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. He stressed that effective implementation would require closer collaboration among universities, colleges, research institutions and students across the Northeast.
He also emphasised the importance of documenting and promoting the region’s indigenous knowledge, languages, arts, crafts and traditional community practices. According to him, the Northeast has the potential to emerge as an important centre for learning, cultural exchange and knowledge development by integrating its rich cultural and traditional resources with modern education.
Presenting the resolution and outcomes of the conclave, Sarita Yadav, Secretary, Higher and Technical Education, Nagaland, said participating states had identified infrastructure gaps and region-specific educational challenges requiring greater support from both the Centre and state governments.
Yadav said delegates agreed on the need to establish a dedicated forum of education ministers of the Northeastern states, with a proposal to be submitted to the Central government. Such a forum was proposed as a mechanism for improving coordination and facilitating regular discussions on common educational challenges and priorities across the region.
The participating states also called for closer inter-state collaboration and stressed the importance of moving beyond measuring programme coverage alone. They advocated greater emphasis on assessing and ensuring verified learning outcomes so that the impact of educational programmes can be measured through students’ actual learning and development.
Speaking at the conclave as the chief guest, Tripura Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman described the event as “not an ending but the beginning of a new chapter” for education in the Northeast.
Barman stressed that implementation would be the most important aspect of NEP 2020. He said the success of an education policy should ultimately be measured by the changes it brings to students, including those living in remote villages and areas with limited access to educational opportunities.
The Tripura minister also highlighted the Northeast’s biodiversity, agriculture, horticulture, tourism and young population as significant opportunities for developing education, research and entrepreneurship. He cited bamboo as an example of how a regional resource could be connected with academic disciplines such as engineering, product design, architecture, management and digital mapping.
According to Barman, such an approach could create opportunities for research, employment and enterprise while connecting education with the economic and natural resources of the region.
He further called for greater convergence among tourism, agriculture, biodiversity and technology. Among his proposals were the creation of a regional faculty network, shared research infrastructure, student mobility programmes, joint research initiatives and a common digital platform to facilitate academic collaboration among the Northeastern states.
Barman identified access, quality, skill development, research and innovation, and entrepreneurship as five key commitments for the region’s education sector.
He also raised the issue of “brain drain” and called for mechanisms to transform it into “brain circulation”. He suggested that young people from the Northeast who move to other parts of India or abroad could continue contributing to their home states through alumni networks, mentoring, remote work and initiatives encouraging them to return to the region.
The discussions at the Education Conclave 2026 therefore placed emphasis on strengthening regional cooperation while ensuring that NEP 2020 implementation addresses the specific educational needs of the Northeast.
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The participation of all seven Northeastern states, along with schools and technical colleges, provided a platform to discuss common challenges ranging from infrastructure and access to learning outcomes, research and innovation.
The conclave concluded with a call for sustained coordination among the Northeastern states, the Central government and educational institutions. Tiakaba Amer, Additional Director, Technical Education Department, Nagaland, proposed the vote of thanks.
