Engraining of Versatile Personality through Sports; Mandate of NEP 2020 for the Young Generation of our Nation

Abstract

The integration of sports into education is increasingly recognized as a critical avenue for fostering personality development among young students. Personality traits such as confidence, resilience, leadership, teamwork, and emotional regulation are best nurtured through experiential learning, and sports provide a dynamic platform for this growth. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has marked a paradigm shift in Indian education by making physical education, games, and fitness essential components of the school curriculum rather than treating them as peripheral activities. To explores how NEP 2020 advances the role of sports in personality development by embedding holistic, activity-based, and student-centered approaches into education. The discussion highlights theoretical pathways linking sports participation to self-efficacy, social competence, leadership, and resilience, while also examining the policy’s emphasis on inclusivity, indigenous games, and teacher training. Further, the study identifies opportunities created by NEP 2020 for broader curricular legitimacy, improved pedagogy, and student choice, alongside challenges such as infrastructure gaps, lack of trained personnel, and equity in participation. By positioning sports as a vehicle for character building and life skills, NEP 2020 supports the creation of confident, socially responsible, and future-ready citizens. The findings suggest that with effective implementation, NEP 2020 can transform India’s educational framework into one that values not only intellectual achievement but also holistic personality development through sports.