Community Engagement as a Pedagogical Tool for Sustainable Development in Indian Undergraduate Education

Author(s): Kalpit Mhatre, Kashinath Chavan, Hindurao Sankpal and Alok Gude

Abstract:

Community engagement has become a central pillar of undergraduate education in India, particularly after the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Government of India has institutionalized multiple initiatives such as the National Service Scheme (NSS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), Swachh Bharat Mission, Vidyanjali, Digital Literacy Mission, environmental programs, and disaster management training to integrate higher education with national development priorities. This paper critically examines the policy foundations, governance structure, funding mechanisms, academic integration, environmental and disaster management linkages, ethical dimensions, monitoring frameworks, challenges, and future directions of government-led community engagement programs for undergraduate students. The study highlights how these initiatives transform students into socially responsible citizens, strengthen grassroots governance, enhance environmental conservation, and contribute significantly to disaster risk reduction. The paper concludes that community engagement is no longer an auxiliary academic activity but a core strategy for inclusive, sustainable, and resilient national development.

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Pages: 112-115     |    2 View     |    0 Download