The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 represents a landmark reform in India’s education system, introduced to align national learning goals with global standards while reviving the essence of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). This policy envisions a holistic, multidisciplinary, and flexible educational framework that nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and ethical values among learners. In comparison with global education models, NEP 2020 emphasizes inclusivity, lifelong learning, and digital integration, reflecting principles seen in advanced educational systems worldwide. However, what distinguishes it is its rootedness in India’s cultural and intellectual heritage. By integrating traditional Indian philosophies, sciences, arts, and languages into the modern curriculum, NEP 2020 seeks to balance global competitiveness with indigenous wisdom. This paper explores the comparative dimensions of NEP 2020 with global education practices and critically examines its role in preserving, revitalizing, and mainstreaming Indian Knowledge Systems in contemporary academic and research domains.