This research paper undertakes a systematic comparative documentary analysis of India's major national education policies-the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1968, NPE 1986 (modified 1992), and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020-against the West Bengal State Education Policy (SEP) 2023, notified in the Kolkata Gazette Extraordinary on September 5, 2023. Through a structured documentary analysis methodology, the study examines the policy texts across domains of school education structure, higher education architecture, regulatory and structural bodies, language policy, inclusive education, teacher education, technology integration, research and innovation, and public investment. Seven detailed comparative tables systematically map both similarities and differences between the national framework and the state response. The analysis reveals that while West Bengal's SEP 2023 broadly aligns with NEP 2020's progressive principles on equity, academic flexibility, research culture, internationalization, and digital learning, it consciously diverges on structural matters-retaining its existing 5+4+2+2 school framework rather than adopting NEP's 5+3+3+4 model, preserving existing regulatory bodies rather than consolidating them under HECI, and prioritizing geographic expansion and access over tiered institutional stratification. These differences reflect West Bengal's assertion of its federal prerogative within a constitutional framework that designates education as a concurrent subject. The paper concludes with a synthesis of convergent and divergent trajectories, offering insights into the possibilities and limits of state-level policy translation of a transformative national educational vision.
National Policy on Education (1968), National Policy on Education (1986/Programme of Action 1992), National Education Policy (2020), West Bengal State Education Policy (2023), documentary analysis, comparative education policy.
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development - IJTSRD having
online ISSN 2456-6470. IJTSRD is a leading Open Access, Peer-Reviewed International
Journal which provides rapid publication of your research articles and aims to promote
the theory and practice along with knowledge sharing between researchers, developers,
engineers, students, and practitioners working in and around the world in many areas
like Sciences, Technology, Innovation, Engineering, Agriculture, Management and
many more and it is recommended by all Universities, review articles and short communications
in all subjects. IJTSRD running an International Journal who are proving quality
publication of peer reviewed and refereed international journals from diverse fields
that emphasizes new research, development and their applications. IJTSRD provides
an online access to exchange your research work, technical notes & surveying results
among professionals throughout the world in e-journals. IJTSRD is a fastest growing
and dynamic professional organization. The aim of this organization is to provide
access not only to world class research resources, but through its professionals
aim to bring in a significant transformation in the real of open access journals
and online publishing.