The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is based on five foundational pillars. These pillars are:

• Access
• Equity
• Quality
• Affordability
• Accountability

These pillars aim to ensure that all children have access to quality elementary education regardless of caste, creed, location, or gender (Access), provide individualized support to students (Equity), deliver high-quality education (Quality), make education free and compulsory for children aged 3-18 years (Affordability), and hold schools and districts accountable for improving educational outcomes (Accountability)