The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a significant shift towards skill-based education, aiming to provide learners with practical competencies essential for the 21st-century employability. Traditional systems of education have primarily focused on knowledge acquisition, often neglecting the practical skills necessary for employability. NEP-2020 addresses this gap by integrating life skills, critical thought, creative thinking and problem-solving into the curriculum, ensuring a more holistic and applicationoriented

learning approach. This research explores the effectiveness of skill-based education in enhancing students’ career readiness under NEP-2020. It examines key elements such as curriculum development, learner engagement, industry collaboration, and assessment methods. The policy emphasizes experiential learning, vocational training, and digital literacy, aligning education with global workforce demands. However, challenges like resource constraints, teacher training, and infrastructure gaps must be addressed to ensure successful implementation. By fostering multidisciplinary learning and flexibility in education, NEP-2020 prepares students for diverse career pathways, promoting entrepreneurial and job-oriented skills. This study highlights the need for continuous research and policy refinement to maximize the potential of skill-based education in bridging the gap between academia and industry, making learners future-ready in a rapidly evolving world.