National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2025

Why in News ?  The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2025 results, released on July 2, 2025, revealed a surprising and encouraging development — Himachal Pradesh, which ranked 21st in 2021, jumped 16 positions to enter the top five performing States. While Punjab and Kerala retained their top positions, Himachal’s turnaround drew national attention.

Relevance : UPSC Pre &  Mains

Prelims : NAS

Mains :   GS 1 & 2

What is the National Achievement Survey (NAS)?

The NAS is a nationwide learning assessment conducted every three years by the Ministry of Education. It aims to measure the learning outcomes of students in government and government-aided schools, specifically in:

• Classes: 3, 5, 8, and 10
• Subjects tested: Language, Mathematics, Science, and other core subjects

Objectives of NAS:

• Provides data-driven insights for policymaking
• Acts as a diagnostic tool to identify learning gaps
• Assists states in improving education delivery systems

Limitations of NAS:

While useful, the NAS focuses on what is easily testable, such as rote learning and textbook-based knowledge. It does not adequately capture:

• Critical thinking
• Emotional and social development
• Civic awareness
• Equity and inclusion in education

Thus, while Himachal’s improved NAS performance is significant, it should not be the sole benchmark of educational quality.

Why is Himachal’s Rise in NAS Significant?

Himachal Pradesh’s upward movement signals a recovery from a period of educational decline. Once considered a model hill-state for public education, the state had witnessed deterioration due to various systemic issues.

Historical Context:

• Under S. Parmar, the state’s first Chief Minister, there was a massive post-Independence expansion of government schools.
• The guiding principle was “serve the village, teach the young.”

Challenges Post-Liberalisation:

• Contractual hiring of teachers weakened professional accountability
• Inadequate recruitment and poor training standards
• Rapid mushrooming of private schools, even in remote villages
• Loss of public trust in government schools