https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How IAS Sanjay Kumar is Changing India’s Educational Landscape

Sanjay Kumar, a distinguished IAS officer, has been pivotal in driving digital education and promoting inclusive learning. His leadership in transforming India’s education system is reshaping the future. Read the article to learn more. 
Indian Masterminds Stories

In October 2022, Sanjay Kumar, a distinguished 1990 batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, was appointed Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy under the Ministry of Education. Taking charge after the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Kumar became responsible for implementing transformative educational policies under NEP (New Education Policy) 2020 and steering India’s school education system toward a future rooted in digital learning, foundational literacy, and inclusive education. 

His tenure has been marked by large-scale policy reforms, technology-driven initiatives, and global collaborations, making him a key figure in shaping India’s education sector.

EDUCATION & UPSC

Sanjay Kumar’s academic journey set the stage for his illustrious administrative career. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree (B. Sc.) in Physics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, followed by a Master of Science (M. Sc.) in Physics from the State University of New York. With a strong academic foundation, Mr. Kumar’s early inclination toward public service and governance led him to the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

In 1990, Sanjay Kumar successfully cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, securing a position in the Bihar cadre of the IAS. His early postings as a civil servant reflected his keen interest in policy implementation and governance reforms. Over the years, Mr. Kumar worked in various capacities, gaining extensive experience in education, public administration, and policy-making.

CAREER TRAJECTORY 

During his tenure in Bihar, Mr. Kumar held several critical positions in the education department, ultimately serving as the Principal Secretary, the Department of Education, Bihar. In this role, he spearheaded key educational initiatives, significantly improving the quality and accessibility of education in the state. His work laid the foundation for many of the national-level reforms he later implemented as Secretary in the Ministry of Education.

Before assuming charge as Secretary of School Education & Literacy, Mr. Kumar worked in different capacities, contributing to policy formulation at both the state and central levels. His predecessors in the role included Amit Khare and Anita Karwal, who had initiated the groundwork for execution of NEP-2020. Mr. Kumar’s immediate successor in Bihar was Deepak Kumar, who continued several of his initiatives.

TRANSFORMATIVE WORK IN EDUCATION (2023-24) 

As the Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy, Sanjay Kumar has been at the forefront of several landmark initiatives, ensuring effective implementation of NEP 2020 and driving digital transformation in education.

1. Digital Education & Technology Integration

Recognising the growing importance of technology in education, Kumar has championed multiple digital initiatives: 

  • Development of 16,727 ICT Labs and 21,881 Smart Classrooms under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
  • Expansion of PM eVIDYA, which included:
    • Launching 72 YouTube channels dedicated to educational content.
    • Developing a PM eVIDYA mobile app to ensure equitable access to learning resources.
  • Implementation of Virtual Labs:
    • Created 218 virtual lab experiments and 868 digital content resources for grades 6-12.
    • Trained over 4.5 lakh teachers and educators to integrate virtual labs into the curriculum.

2. Foundational Literacy & Numeracy (FLN)

Sanjay Kumar has been instrumental in strengthening foundational education through initiatives like:

  • National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat Mission, ensuring children achieve foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3.
  • ‘Jaadui Pitara’, a play-based learning toolkit introduced to make early education engaging and effective.

3. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Implementation

A major part of Mr. Kumar’s tenure has been focused on executing the ambitious NEP 2020:

  • The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) was developed to align with NEP’s 5+3+3+4 structure.
  • PARAKH (National Assessment Centre) was established as an independent unit to set national standards for assessments and student learning outcomes.

4. Inclusive Education & Accessibility

Committed to making education inclusive, Mr. Kumar has worked extensively on:

  • Expanding special education initiatives by ensuring the availability of special educators in schools.
  • Improving infrastructure for children with disabilities, including ramps, assistive devices, and specialised learning materials.
  • Strengthening tribal and minority education programs through NIEPA’s research and training programs.

5. Global Outreach & International Collaborations

Under Mr. Kumar’s leadership, India’s education sector has witnessed enhanced global engagement.

  • Represented India in G20 Education Working Group Meetings, advocating for AI, digital education, and skill development.
  • Supervised student exchange programs with Japan, facilitating study visits for 121 meritorious students and 14 supervisors.

6. Leadership Development & Training Initiatives

Sanjay Kumar has focused on building leadership in education by launching:

  • Leadership Training Programs for College Principals in collaboration with NIEPA.
  • NIEPA’s National Awards for Educational Administration recognise exemplary contributions to school governance.

7. Road Safety & Community Engagement

As part of his broader vision for education, Mr. Kumar led the “Safe Journey” initiative in collaboration with SIAM and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), integrating road safety education into school curricula.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

As Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Sanjay Kumar is responsible for policy formulation, program implementation, and intergovernmental coordination. His key responsibilities include:

  • Overseeing the execution of NEP 2020.
  • Supervising centrally sponsored schemes like Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI Schools, and NIPUN Bharat.
  • Enhancing digital education through programs like PM eVIDYA and DIKSHA.
  • Strengthening research and teacher training to improve the quality of education.
  • Collaborating with state governments and international organisations to implement best practices.

Sanjay Kumar’s tenure as Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy has been characterised by bold reforms, technological advancements, and a strong focus on inclusive education. His visionary leadership has not only accelerated the implementation of NEP 2020 but has also set a precedent for transforming India’s school education system into one that is digitally empowered, globally competitive, and accessible to all.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Coal India CSR Conclave 2025
MCL Hosts 4th Coal India CSR Conclave in Gopalpur, Odisha: Focus on People, Profit, and Planet
Abhay Anti-Radar Drone 3
Game-Changer for Indian Defense: ABHAY Anti-Radar Drone 3 Delivered 3 Months Early by Anadrone Systems
IPS Puran Kumar suicide Haryana
Four Days, No Post-Mortem: IPS Y Puran Kumar’s Family Demands Justice Before Last Rites, Lists Key Actions
Tejas Mk1A Jets
Historic Moment: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Witness First Two Tejas Mk1A Jets Handover on October 17 at HAL Nashik
Haryana IPS officers
2 Haryana IPS Officers Cleared for Promotion to DGP Rank; DPC Gives Nod
Avtar Singh Shahi
Who Is Avtar Singh Shahi? Decorated BSF Officer Appointed IG of Delhi Frontier Headquarters
DGP Shatrujeet Kapur Puran Kumar
Who Is DGP Shatrujeet Kapur? Haryana’s Top Cop Named in IPS Y Puran Kumar’s Suicide Case, May Face Action
Upsc CDS II 2025
UPSC CDS (II) 2025 Written Exam Results Declared: 9085 Candidates Qualify for SSB Interviews
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Officer C
"She Believed She Could, So She Did" - The Inspiring Journey of IAS Officer C. Vanmathi
From herding buffaloes and facing early marriage pressure to becoming an IAS officer, C. Vanmathi’s journey...
Jitendra Baghel MPPSC
7 Years, 4 Interviews, Now Dy.SP: How Jitendra Baghel Cracked MPPSC Through Relentless Struggle
Jitendra Baghel’s inspiring journey from a humble farming background to MPPSC Dy.SP showcases relentless...
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Social Media
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Coal India CSR Conclave 2025
MCL Hosts 4th Coal India CSR Conclave in Gopalpur, Odisha: Focus on People, Profit, and Planet
Abhay Anti-Radar Drone 3
Game-Changer for Indian Defense: ABHAY Anti-Radar Drone 3 Delivered 3 Months Early by Anadrone Systems
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT