Technology in Teacher Education NEP 2020’s Vision for Digital Empowerment

Abstract

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a digitally empowered educational ecosystem in India, with teacher education positioned as a critical domain for technology integration. This study explores the opportunities and challenges in implementing NEP 2020’s digital vision within pre-service and in-service teacher training. Drawing on mixed-methods research across six Indian states—combining policy analysis, stakeholder interviews, institutional data, and survey responses—the study reveals that while awareness of national digital platforms like DIKSHA and NISHTHA is widespread, their integration into pedagogical practices remains limited and uneven. Factors such as infrastructural disparities, lack of faculty training in digital pedagogy, and institutional inertia continue to undermine the transformative potential of NEP-driven reforms. The study highlights a gap between policy intent and implementation, especially in rural regions and under-resourced Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs). It concludes that successful digital empowerment in teacher education requires not only access to platforms but also systemic curricular redesign, faculty capacity-building, and operational support from proposed structures such as the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF). The findings offer insights for policymakers, teacher educators, and institutions seeking to align digital initiatives with inclusive, equitable, and sustainable education reform.