A silent revolution is happening to academics in Jammu and Kashmir, where students once used to gather at colleges in anticipation of taking admission into the medical and non-medical programs to study physics and chemistry. However, the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aimed at overhauling and modernizing the Indian education system, has inadvertently led to a major change in colleges across the region where Physics and Chemistry, once central pillars in science education, have been demoted from their core positions in undergraduate level, causing concern among students, educators, and parents alike.
NEP 2020 once launched with the vision to create a more holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary education system, emphasizing critical thinking, and skill development to cater to the diverse intellectual needs of students across India, has led to restructuring in various courses and subject choices. The policy once developed to encourage a liberal arts approach, where science, technology, and humanities can converge, aiming to develop students with a wider range of competencies and creativity however, in Jammu and Kashmir the policy’s implementation has had an unintended consequence: Physics and Chemistry, once regarded as foundational subjects for science students, have now been sidelined from the primary course structure in many colleges and have been reduced to minor subject only and as such the students are left with only option to opt subjects contrary to their choices. Seema, a poor but a passionate and intelligent student of a remote village, an aspiring scientist, had always been fascinated by the mysteries and magic of chemicals. She was certain that her journey lay in exploring the world of Chemistry, hoping one day to study foundation in Chemistry, and look forward to work in Chemical industry to exploring the fascinating world of medicine, where knowledge meets impact with a hope to unravel the secrets of molecular interactions and contribute to innovative treatments that can improve lives. However Seema was denied to opt for Chemistry Major in her Native College as in that College the subject is being offered only as minor course. Moreover, the online admission process left Seema without proper counselling where she can choose other Colleges of her own choice to study her choicest subject. Unsure of the implications of choosing Major/Minor subjects and overwhelmed by a complex, unassisted process, she ultimately ended up enrolling in unrelated courses contrary to her choice. Her love for Chemistry remained but could not find a place in her chosen academic path. This is not the only case, Seema’s experience is regrettably becoming more and more typical as many students today find themselves in a similar situation because chemistry and physics are major approved subjects in only about 40–50 colleges out of 142 total colleges in Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, the NEP 2020 once introduced to encourage multidisciplinary learning, has now left gaps in guidance for students during the subject selection as well as College selection process due to online admission process. Traditionally, in-person admissions provided students the opportunity to consult with faculty, understand course structures, and clarify their goals. Without these interactions, students like Seema are left without the necessary direction to make informed choices. Moreover, the transition to an online-only admission process, though intended to streamline and democratize access, inadvertently restricts students from seeking proper counseling. Limited internet connectivity and lack of comprehensive support only exacerbate the issue, a region where stable online infrastructure can be hard to come by. Consequently, core science subjects are seeing reduced enrollments, as students, without expert guidance, find themselves drawn to seemingly easier or more flexible courses.
“By enhancing counseling, adopting hybrid admission processes, and promoting the sciences, we can ensure that these fundamental subjects do not vanish from our classrooms, preserving the heritage of scientific inquiry for future generations. The journey of students like Seema should remind us of the importance of structured support in helping them realize their dreams and, in turn, nurturing the region’s scientific and technological progress.”
For decades, Physics and Chemistry have been cornerstones of scientific inquiry, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for innovation. These subjects form the backbone of disciplines like engineering, medicine, and environmental science, which are pivotal for regional and national development. However, the unintended impact of NEP 2020’s structural changes and the online admission process is that fewer students are opting for these subjects. The very foundation of scientific education in Jammu and Kashmir risks crumbling. If this trend continues, colleges may reduce their science faculty, laboratories may sit unused, and future generations may lack access to in-depth scientific education. This slow decline threatens to create an educational vacuum in the sciences, further deterring students from choosing Physics and Chemistry. For faculty members who have spent decades teaching these subjects, the change brings uncertainty. Many have expressed concern over the loss of teaching hours and the effect this shift might have on their job security and their ability to impart knowledge that they believe is crucial for student’s holistic science education. Physics and Chemistry are not just subjects; they are essential building blocks for scientific thinking. Without them, we risk losing generations of critical thinkers, scientists and problem-solvers. Ultimately this will reduce the diversity of expertise in the region impacting innovation and local industry growth. Thus, it is essential to address these challenges to prevent Physics and Chemistry from disappearing in Jammu and Kashmir’s colleges. No doubt NEP 2020’s approach to reimagining education is ambitious but it is equally challenging as well. While on one side it attempts to prepare students for an interdisciplinary world, on the other hand certain structural aspects need more consideration, especially in regions like Jammu and Kashmir. The policy’s emphasis on elective courses and vocational training aiming to provide students with a wide range of skills, but the removal of core subjects like Physics and Chemistry has stirred an unintended imbalance. Thus, the first step required today is reinstating comprehensive counselling during the online admission process, ensuring that students have access to trained counselors who can guide them through subject selection, career paths, and course requirements that would bridge the current guidance gap. Additionally, traditional offline admission model could blend the accessibility of online systems with the benefits of face-to-face interactions. Above all a mixture of subjects/combinations like Science and Non-Science, Medical and Non-Medical be discouraged. There must also be a regional focus on advocating for the sciences, highlighting Physics and Chemistry as essential pillars of education and workforce development in Jammu and Kashmir. In short to conclude with, although the NEP 2020 was designed with good intentions, but without the right support systems in place, its implementation risks sidelining crucial subjects like Physics and Chemistry. In Jammu and Kashmir, where students already face unique educational challenges, this issue deserves urgent attention. By enhancing counseling, adopting hybrid admission processes, and promoting the sciences, we can ensure that these fundamental subjects do not vanish from our classrooms, preserving the heritage of scientific inquiry for future generations. The journey of students like Seema should remind us of the importance of structured support in helping them realize their dreams and, in turn, nurturing the region’s scientific and technological progress.
(The author is Associate Professor Chemistry at Govt Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College, Jammu .The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Dr. Ashaq Hussain
[email protected].
