Five Years Ahead

Neeraj Gupta is Managing Director at Rachna Sagar Pvt. Ltd, which has been at the forefront of educational publishing since its inception in 1995. With a strong commitment to developing and delivering quality education in the form of Teaching and Learning Material (TLM) for students and facilitators—from pre-school to senior secondary levels—Rachna Sagar has secured a distinguished position in the vanguard of educational publishing, both nationally and internationally.

From blended and personalized learning models to outcome-driven content and teacher support, the next five years promise transformative change. In this interaction, Neeraj Gupta, Managing Director, Rachna Sagar Pvt. Ltd.; Dr.Lovashish Aggarwal, Director, SPD Books International Pvt. Ltd.; and Sandeep Kumar Gupta of Bookman India share their perspectives on how the learning ecosystem is evolving, the challenges publishers face, and the strategies being adopted to build future-ready, inclusive, and learner-centric educational resources. Excerpts.

AABP: Do you think the learning ecosystem will evolve in the next 5 years?

Neeraj: The learning ecosystem will undergo significant evolution over the next five years. Education will become more learner-centric, competency-based, and technology-driven. Blended learning models combining print, digital, and experiential learning will gain prominence.

Dr Lovashish: The learning ecosystem will evolve steadily over the next five years. Education is gradually shifting from memory-based learning to conceptual understanding, skill development, and interactive-based learning. Students will be encouraged to think independently and connect learning with real-life situations. Technology will support this change by improving access and engagement, while teachers and classrooms will continue to play a central role, yet I strongly believe that the role of books will never get obsolete after digitalization.

Sandeep: The learning ecosystem will evolve significantly in the next five years. Education will become more personalized, driven by AI that adapts content to individual learners. Hybrid learning—combining online and offline modes—will become the norm. There will be a strong shift toward skills-based and lifelong learning, with micro-credentials and practical competencies valued more than traditional degrees. Immersive technologies like AR and VR will make learning more experiential. Teachers’ roles will evolve into mentors and facilitators, while data and analytics will guide learning decisions, making education more flexible, inclusive, and outcome-oriented.

Dr Lovashish Aggarwal is an education professional and publisher actively involved in academic planning and content development. In 2024, he received an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Cedarbrook University, USA, for his mentorship and contribution to educational publishing. SPD Books International Pvt. Ltd. is an educational publishing house committed to developing quality, curriculum-aligned, and student-friendly learning resources for K–12 education.

AABP: What steps is your publishing house taking to align with this change?

Neeraj: Rachna Sagar aligns with this educational evolution through its NEP Resource Lab, which develops innovative, research-driven learning solutions, including Panchkosh Vikas, designed to promote experiential learning and holistic development by nurturing the five dimensions of a child in line with NEP principles.

Dr Lovashish: At SPD Books, we are reshaping our content to make it clear, structured, and learning-outcome oriented. Along with print, we are also becoming technology-oriented by designing content that can be supported through digital assessments and guided practice resources. Our focus is to strengthen teaching and learning without adding unnecessary complexity.

Sandeep: Bookman is actively aligning with the evolving learning ecosystem by focusing on learner-centric, skill-based content. We are developing blended resources that integrate print with digital support, QR-linked content, and interactive learning aids. Emphasis is being placed on competency-based curricula, critical thinking, and real-world application. We are incorporating AI-ready content structures, assessment tools, and teacher-support material to enhance classroom effectiveness. Multilingual and inclusive content is a priority to widen access. Continuous research, educator feedback, and curriculum mapping ensure our books remain relevant, future-ready, and aligned with lifelong learning needs.

AABP: What challenges are you currently facing in educational publishing?

Neeraj: Some of the key challenges include rapidly changing curricula, technological advancements, rising production costs, and ensuring accessibility across diverse learning environments. Additionally, balancing high-quality print content with evolving digital expectations and addressing varied learner needs remain ongoing challenges.

Dr Lovashish: Some key challenges include rising production costs (i.e. GST on paper which increased from 12% to 18% which directly impacted the MRP), frequent syllabus revisions, and also maintaining affordability demand for schools. At the same time, adopting new teaching approaches and technology support while keeping content simple and effective requires careful planning.

Sandeep: The main challenges in educational publishing today include rapid curriculum changes, requiring frequent content updates, and the need to balance print and digital integration effectively. Rising production and paper costs impact pricing and margins, while intense market competition increases pressure on differentiation. Aligning content with skill-based and competency-focused learning is complex and time-consuming. Ensuring teacher acceptance and usability across diverse classrooms remains a challenge. Additionally, addressing multilingual needs, maintaining quality with faster turnaround times, and adapting to evolving technology and assessment methods are key challenges.

Sandeep Kumar Gupta is from Bookman India, founded in 1995, which is a well-established educational publishing house based in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, focused on children’s school books and learning material. It has earned a strong reputation for quality educational content across CBSE, UP Board, and other state syllabi, including textbooks, activity books, worksheets, and supplementary resources.

AABP: What work has been done in line with NEP, and what are your future plans?

Neeraj: In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Rachna Sagar has revised and developed its publications to promote holistic, learner-centric education. Our initiatives focus on:

1. Minimizing learning gaps: by using step-by-step lessons and easy-to-understand explanations.
2. Encouraging hands-on and experiential learning: via activities, projects, and real-life applications.
3. Supporting equality and inclusion: by addressing diverse learning needs and promoting accessibility.

Values, life skills, and 21st-century competencies are integrated across our publications.
Future steps include: enhanced digital integration with interactive learning solutions, expanded teacher training and support resources, and the development of NEP-aligned, competency-based assessment tools, reflecting our continued commitment to the vision of NEP 2020.

Dr Lovashish: In alignment with NEP 2020, we have introduced competency-based questions, experiential activities, value education, and skill-focused exercises in our books. Going forward, we plan to further enhance foundational learning, assessment quality, and teacher-support material, while integrating technology.

Sandeep: In line with the National Education Policy (NEP), our publishing house has revised content to promote conceptual understanding, competency-based learning, and experiential education. We have aligned books with learning outcomes, multidisciplinary themes, life skills, and values-based education. Emphasis has been placed on activity-based learning, formative assessments, and critical thinking. Multilingual support and age-appropriate content have been strengthened. Going forward, we plan to expand digital and blended learning resources, teacher-training support, NEP-aligned assessments, and AI-enabled learning tools, while continuously mapping content to evolving curricular frameworks and state guidelines.

AABP: What changes have you seen in content development, and what trends do you expect?

Neeraj: Our content development strategies have evolved to include outcome-based learning, real-life application, and learner engagement. Visual-rich content, inquiry-based activities, and formative assessments are now integral. Over the next five years, we anticipate increased use of adaptive learning content, AI-supported resources, and a stronger focus on holistic and inclusive education.

Dr Lovashish: Our content development has moved towards a more learner-centric and outcome-driven approach. Over the next five years, we expect greater demand for integrated learning resources, blended learning models, and practical teacher-support tools.

Sandeep: We have observed a clear shift from content-heavy textbooks to learner-centric, outcome-based content. Our development strategy now emphasizes concept clarity, activities, real-life application, formative assessment, and skill integration rather than rote learning. Greater collaboration with educators, curriculum experts, and designers has improved relevance and usability. Digital support and blended resources are now integral to content planning. Over the next five years, we anticipate stronger trends toward personalized learning, modular content, micro-learning units, AI-supported resources, multilingual adaptability, and continuous content updates, making learning more flexible, practical, and future-ready.

AABP: How are your books distributed?

Neeraj: Our books are distributed through a robust network of distributors, booksellers, and direct school partnerships across India. We also leverage online platforms and digital channels to ensure wider reach and accessibility.

Dr Lovashish: Our books are distributed through a strong domestic network of distributors, dealers, and direct school partnerships, ensuring wide reach across different regions.

Sandeep: Our books are distributed through a multi-channel network that includes authorized distributors, local bookshops, and direct institutional supply to schools. We also support direct sales through academic representatives who work closely with educators. In selected regions, digital catalogues and order management systems streamline availability. This hybrid distribution approach ensures wide reach, timely delivery, and strong relationships with schools and education partners.

AABP: Are you involved in exports as well?

Neeraj: Rachna Sagar is actively involved in exports. Our publications are used in several international markets, catering to diverse curricula and educational frameworks, which further reinforces our global presence.

Dr Lovashish: Currently, our focus remains on the Indian education ecosystem only, we strongly believe in the slogan Padhega India, Badhega India.