Abstract: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been hailed as a transformative framework for Indian education, introducing sweeping reforms aimed at structural change and improving access, quality, and governance. However, five years since its introduction, concerns remain over its implementation and long-term impact. This article analyzes NEP 2020 in the context of past policies, its ambitious goals, and the ground realities of education in India. It explores the challenges of declining school enrollments, the quality of teacher training, the shifting role of states in educational governance, and the implications of centralization. As we assess the effectiveness of NEP 2020, we ask: Is this policy truly a game changer, or does it require significant course correction?