The Acharya Ramamurti Committee, established to review and suggest an action plan for the National Policy on Education 1986 (NPE 1986), was a significant step in the journey of India's educational reforms. The committee, chaired by the eminent educationist Acharya Ramamurti, aimed to translate the lofty goals of NPE 1986 into practical, action-oriented outcomes.

The core vision of the Acharya Ramamurti Committee was to achieve universal enrollment, retention, and completion of education for children up to the age of 14, while also ensuring that the quality and values of education were not compromised.

Background: Why Was the Acharya Ramamurti Committee Formed?

After the introduction of the National Education Policy 1986, it became clear that a well-structured implementation plan was necessary. While the policy provided an ambitious framework, its successful execution required a detailed roadmap, localized planning, and continuous monitoring.

The government formed the Acharya Ramamurti Committee to bridge the gap between policy and practice, focusing on:

• Making education accessible to all
  
• Promoting value education and national integration
  
• Reducing inequalities in the education system
  
• Empowering local bodies and communities to take charge of educational development
  

Key Features of the Acharya Ramamurti Committee

1. Universal Enrollment and Retention up to 14 Years

A primary recommendation of the Acharya Ramamurti Committee was to ensure that every child receives free and compulsory education up to the age of 14. The committee emphasized:

• Universal access to primary and upper primary education
  
• Retention of students in schools by making education child-friendly
  
• Special focus on girls, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and marginalized groups
  

This became a foundation for future educational programs like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Right to Education Act.

2. Introduction of the “Plus Two” Stage

The committee recommended the integration of the "plus two" stage (classes XI and XII) as a formal part of the school system, ensuring smoother transition from secondary to higher education.

• This helped streamline the educational structure into a 10+2+3 model
  
• Students were better prepared for college with stronger academic and vocational grounding
  
• Curriculum restructuring was advised to meet both academic and skill-based needs
  

Structural Reforms in Education

1. Decentralization of Elementary Education

The Acharya Ramamurti Committee emphasized the importance of decentralizing education, shifting authority from central bodies to local governance systems such as:

• Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
  
• Village Education Committees
  
• Municipal bodies
  

This allowed for local solutions to local problems, making education more responsive and inclusive.

2. Vocational Education for Economic Empowerment

The committee viewed vocational education as essential for:

• Bridging the gap between education and employment
  
• Reducing drop-out rates by offering practical skills alongside academics
  
• Boosting national productivity and self-reliance
  

Vocational training was to be integrated into the secondary school curriculum, especially in rural areas.

3. Value Education and Cultural Awareness

A key feature of the Acharya Ramamurti Committee was its strong push for value-based education, rooted in India’s rich cultural heritage. The goals included:

• Promoting secularism, socialism, democracy, and nationalism
  
• Encouraging understanding of India's cultural diversity
  
• Instilling ethical values, respect, and social responsibility among students
  

This reflected the committee's belief that education must build character, not just careers.

Achievements and Impact of NPE 1986 through Ramamurti Committee

1. Promotion of the Three-Language Formula

The committee upheld the three-language formula introduced earlier:

• Mother tongue or regional language
  
• Hindi as the national link language
  
• English for global communication
  

This policy aimed to strengthen national integration while ensuring students could compete globally.

2. Focus on Equity and Inclusion

The Acharya Ramamurti Committee made it clear that education was a tool for social justice. Recommendations included:

• Educational incentives for girls, SCs, and STs
  
• Creation of residential schools and hostels for marginalized students
  
• Flexibility in school hours and curriculum for working children
  

By focusing on inclusive education, the committee aimed to bridge urban-rural and class disparities.

3. Increased Investment in Education

To bring its ambitious goals to life, the Acharya Ramamurti Committee strongly advocated for:

• Allocating 6% of GDP to the education sector
  
• Special budgetary support for teacher training, infrastructure, and textbook development
  
• Improving monitoring and evaluation systems to track spending effectiveness
  

Though this 6% goal took years to materialize, the committee was instrumental in setting it as a national benchmark.

4. Affordable and Quality Textbooks

The committee stressed that textbooks must be affordable and of high quality, suggesting:

• Central and state textbook agencies to coordinate content and costs
  
• Emphasis on locally relevant, culturally rich material
  
• Timely distribution of books to prevent learning delays
  

This initiative laid the foundation for better learning outcomes and curriculum consistency.

Acharya Ramamurti Committee: A Milestone in Indian Education

The Acharya Ramamurti Committee is widely seen as a turning point in the history of Indian education. It not only refined the vision of NPE 1986 but also gave it tangible, measurable, and inclusive goals.

Legacy of the Committee

• Influenced later initiatives like SSA, RTE Act, and NEP 2020
  
• Created a people-centered approach to education reform
  
• Reinforced education as a constitutional and moral obligation
  

Its contributions continue to guide policymaking, educational planning, and grassroots implementation even today.

Conclusion: Why the Acharya Ramamurti Committee Still Matters

The Acharya Ramamurti Committee was not just about implementing a policy—it was about transforming a nation’s educational mindset. By emphasizing:

• Universal education
  
• Equity and quality
  
• Vocational and value-based learning
  
• Decentralized control and accountability
  

it brought the vision of NPE 1986 to life in a way that was inclusive, practical, and future-ready.

In modern India, as we continue to strive for educational excellence and inclusivity, the legacy of the Acharya Ramamurti Committee reminds us of the power of education as a tool for national transformation.