What is No Bag Day in Schools Under NEP 2020?

No Bag Day (or Bagless Day) is a designated day when students attend school without their usual textbooks and bags, and instead participate in interactive, experiential learning activities. This concept, championed by NEP 2020, is gaining momentum across India—including Jammu & Kashmir—as a powerful way to make education more engaging, skill-oriented, and student-centric.

 Why No Bag Day?

Heavy school bags have long been associated with posture problems, fatigue, and stress among children. NEP 2020 emphasizes lightening this physical burden and transforming classrooms into spaces for holistic development. The aim is to shift from rote-based education to one that nurtures creativity, skills, and well-being.

NEP 2020’s Key Provisions

• Bagless Period for Grades 6–8: Declares at least 10 bagless days per year, where students spend time learning with local craftsmen—potters, gardeners, carpenters—gaining practical experience beyond textbooks.

• School-wide Bagless Days for All Classes: Encourages periodic initiatives across all grades—like storytelling workshops, sports events, arts and quizzes.

• Curriculum & Pedagogy Revamp: Urges textbook reduction and adoption of project-based and experiential learning that aligns with skill development goals.

 Recent Examples Across India (2023–2025)

• Jammu & Kashmir (Apr–Nov 2025): The Directorate of School Education, Jammu (DSEJ), mandated 10-day bagless periods across all districts in Jammu division, emphasizing experiential learning per NEP 2020. Simultaneously, the Education Department issued detailed School Bag Policy guidelines specifying weight limits by class, no homework for Classes 1–2, and no bags for pre-primary. Additionally, the J&K Waqf Board issued circulars aligning affiliated schools with NEP‑guided bag-free days for Nursery–UKG.

• Jharkhand (Jul 2025): Extended No Bag Day to Classes 1–8, with teacher guides enhancing storytelling, garden and craft activities.

• Gujarat (from Jul 5, 2025): Launched weekly “Bagless Saturdays” for Classes 1–8, with yoga, arts, and environmental activities—though Ahmedabad's early adoption faced mixed results.

• Rajasthan & Bharti Foundation (since Jul 2022): 130+ schools recognized for themed No Bag Day activities—like science fairs and folk arts.

• Bengaluru (CBSE) (Jun 2023): Instituted 10 Bagless Days for Grades 6–8, featuring carpentry, cooking, financial literacy, and gardening modules.

A Typical No Bag Day Schedule

• Mindfulness – Starting the day with breathing exercises

• Craft Workshops – Clay modeling, painting, rangoli, puppet-making

• Vocational Learning – Pottery, carpentry, bicycle repair, gardening

• STEM & Field Work – Low-budget experiments, nature walks, science explorations

• Cultural Immersion – Storytelling, local music, folk dance sessions

These activities are carefully aligned with NEP’s three learning domains: cognitive (knowledge), affective (emotion and values), and psychomotor (hands-on skills).

Experts Weigh In

• Health & Awareness: Jammu & Kashmir’s policy includes detailed guidelines to reduce bag weight for Classes 1–10—from 1.5 kg for Classes 1–2 up to 5.5 kg for Class 10—and bans bags for pre-primary classes.

• Experiential Edge: Jammu division’s 10-day bagless initiative bridges theory and practice via mentors, crafts, and real-life tasks.

• Educator & Student Benefits: State leaders and schools report improved student focus, reduced fatigue, teacher enthusiasm, and stronger ties with local communities.

Aligning No Bag Day with NEP 2020

 Experiential Learning – Local artisans mentor students in hands-on crafts and gardening

Holistic Development – Activities targeting mental health, physical movement, creativity

 Vocational Exposure – Carpentry, repairs, environmental monitoring as early skill-building

Reduced Academic Load – Bag-free classes lighten the load and expand scope to non-book learning

 Inclusion & Community – Schools partner with local communities and NGOs for resource support

Challenges & Future Suggestions

• Monitoring Gaps: Gujarat's early struggles highlight the need for clearer guidelines and supervision.

• Teacher Preparedness: Effective bagless days require teacher training in activity planning and facilitation.

• Localised Resource Sharing: Remote schools need low-cost materials—lockers, community-supported kits, vocational trainers.

• Assessment Evolution: Shift from exam-centric evaluations to portfolios, peer reviews, and competency-based rubrics.

Final Words

No Bag Day is not a holiday—it is a celebration of learning. From empty backpacks emerge deeper thinking, creativity, and hands-on experiences. Jammu & Kashmir's leadership in mandating bag-free periods, weight guidance, and homework reforms showcases how NEP 2020 can be made real—here and now.

As classrooms fill with craft tools, plants, notebooks left behind, and engaged expressions, we see education being reborn—from rote learning to life-inspired discovery.