Abstract

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a transformative shift in India's educational landscape, emphasizing holistic, flexible, and student-cantered learning. This paper explores strategies to minimize academic stress among senior secondary school students within the framework of NEP 2020. Academic stress, a prevalent issue with significant implications for students' mental health and academic performance, is addressed through the NEP's innovative approaches. The policy's focus on a multidisciplinary curriculum, continuous and comprehensive evaluation, and holistic development that provide opportunities to reduce the stress traditionally associated with senior secondary education. Key strategies include offering flexible subject choices, reforming assessment methods to focus on core competencies, integrating mental health support and well-being programs, and reducing the curriculum load to prioritize essential learning outcomes. Additionally, fostering a supportive school environment, enhancing parental involvement, and providing continuous professional development for educators are essential components. This paper also emphasizes the importance of creating feedback mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in real-time, ensuring continuous improvement. By aligning educational practices with NEP 2020's vision, schools can create an environment that not only reduces academic stress but also promotes the overall well-being and holistic development of students.