Published Paper Details:

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a paradigm shift in the Indian education system by emphasizing holistic and multidisciplinary development of learners. Moving beyond traditional content-focused approaches, NEP 2020 highlights the importance of cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions of learning. In this context, emotional intelligence (EI) emerges as a crucial competency that supports the realization of holistic development. Emotional intelligence, defined as the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions, plays a vital role in shaping students' behavior, learning experiences, and interpersonal relationships.The present paper examines the role of emotional intelligence in achieving holistic development as envisioned in NEP 2020. Adopting a qualitative narrative review approach, the study synthesizes existing literature and policy perspectives to analyze how emotional intelligence contributes to educational transformation. The findings suggest that emotional intelligence enhances socio-emotional learning, promotes student engagement, and supports the development of essential life skills. Furthermore, the paper highlights the importance of integrating emotional intelligence into teacher education and classroom practices to effectively implement NEP 2020.The study concludes that emotional intelligence is not merely an additional skill but a fundamental component of holistic education. Its integration into the educational framework can significantly contribute to the development of well-rounded individuals capable of meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century.