The book attempts to build a new foundation for practice-based understanding of adult education in India by analyzing divergent perspectives at the field level.

India has one of the largest populations in the world with around 1.4 billion people. It also has a rich culture dating back over 10,000 years. Recently, scholars around the globe are showing increased interest in India and Indian students are actively involved in premier institutions in every region. Adult Education in India is a ready reckoner for students, scholars, practitioners, and all others interested in the history of the development of adult education since India's ancient period to the present day. This volume addresses the activities of different adult educators like Raja Rammohan Roy, Iswarchandra Vidyasagar, Rabindranath Tagore, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and many more, contextualizing how they acted and influenced the cause of global adult education. In more recent decades, as India’s economy has grown, and as the forces of industrialization, urbanization and globalization have become stronger in reshaping institutions; new ways of thinking about adult education have emerged. The idea of lifelong learning is now aligned to the requirements of the global knowledge economy. The focus on bare literacy is no longer considered sufficient, but only the first step towards preparing citizens to participate in the global market, to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable them to become enterprising and entrepreneurs. The logic of the market has become dominant.

Relevance of Adult Education' deals with all aspects of Adult Education, Continuing Education, Extension and Lifelong Education in India. The volume can prove to be an indispensable tool for all Adult Education activists, Academics, Policy makers, Planners etc. This book will be equally useful for students of Adult Education, Continuing Education, Extension, Non-formal and Lifelong Education in universities and institutes of higher education. The book deals with Adult Education, Continuing Education, Extension and lifelong education in India in all their ramifications.

Whether it is earning a GED, a particular skill, or technical topic for a career, taking classes of interest, or even returning to begin a degree program or completing it, adult learning encompasses those beyond the traditional university age seeking out education. This type of education could be considered non-traditional as it goes beyond the typical educational path and develops learners that are self-initiated and focused on personal development in the form of gaining some sort of education. Essentially, it is a voluntary choice of learning throughout life for personal and professional development. While there is often a large focus towards K-12 and higher education, it is important that research also focuses on the developing trends, technologies, and techniques for providing adult education along with understanding lifelong learners’ choices, developments, and needs. The Research Anthology on Adult Education and the Development of Lifelong Learners focuses specifically on adult education and the best practices, services, and educational environments and methods for both the teaching and learning of adults. This spans further into the understanding of what it means to be a lifelong learner and how to develop adults who want to voluntarily contribute to their own development by enhancing their education level or knowledge of certain topics. This book is essential for teachers and professors, course instructors, business professionals, school administrators, practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students interested in the latest advancements in adult education and lifelong learning.

"Empowering Minds: Adult Education in India" is a comprehensive exploration of adult education in India, highlighting its importance, historical context, challenges, success stories, and policy recommendations. The book sheds light on the critical role of lifelong learning and addresses the need for adult education in India's diverse and dynamic society. The book begins by introducing the concept of adult education and its relevance in the context of India. It delves into the historical background, tracing the roots of adult education from pre-independence to post-independence efforts and policy initiatives. The chapters that follow examine various adult education programs and initiatives, including literacy programs, skill development, distance learning, and nonformal education. One of the significant sections focuses on the challenges and constraints faced by the adult education sector in India, such as illiteracy, socioeconomic barriers, gender disparities, and policy implementation challenges. The book also highlights success stories and best practices from different regions of India, showcasing innovative approaches, partnerships, and collaborations that have made a positive impact.

With digitalisation, deepening globalisation and population ageing, the world of work is changing. The extent to which individuals, firms and economies can harness the benefits of these changes critically depends on the readiness of adult learning systems to help people develop relevant skills ...