Bhopal

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to strengthen sports and physical education through the National Education Policy (NEP), while highlighting reforms aimed at integrating academics with sporting excellence.

Interacting with players at a shooting academy in Bhopal alongside Madhya Pradesh Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Sarang, Pradhan said that for the first time, the country has undertaken large-scale skills-based initiatives under Modi's leadership.

"The Prime Minister has worked to promote sports and physical education through the National Education Policy," Pradhan said.

He added that a separate coursework framework is being developed to enable students to pursue sports and academics simultaneously. According to him, athletes' educational achievements and sporting accomplishments will be linked through the Apaar ID system, while efforts are underway to connect participation in sports activities with academic credit scores.

Pradhan also noted that a sports quota has been introduced in premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), describing it as a first under the present government.

Stressing India's long-term sporting ambitions, he said the country must move towards self-reliance over the next two decades and prepare itself with the goal of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.

Earlier in the day, Pradhan met Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at his residence.

"When we complete 100 years of Independence, our country will progress as a developed India, as a superpower," the Union minister said.

According to an official statement, Yadav presented Pradhan with a replica of Baba Mahakal (Lord Mahakaleshwar) during the meeting.

The chief minister briefed Pradhan on initiatives undertaken by the state government in the education sector, including implementation of the NEP and skill development programmes.

Pradhan praised the innovations being introduced by the state in the fields of school and higher education.

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Yadav said the Madhya Pradesh government, with support from the Centre, is prioritising quality education, digital learning and employable skill development.