Education means process of receiving or giving systematic instructions; a body of knowledge acquired; information or training in a particular subject. The meaning does not include the medium and the instrument of instructions. Therefore, to take it positively, education in lockdown period of COVID-19 can be taken as blessing in disguise. Education no longer is confined to the classrooms. It’s a free flow of knowledge acquired from omnipotent and omnipresent source.

It is said that ‘Change is the only permanent thing’ and to survive; one need to adapt to the dynamics of change. There is a tremendous change in the IT industry and the whole world had turned techno-savvy. Comparatively in India, in the field of Education; there were certain disciplines where the technological changes were not only adapted but also used in their daily life. As far as education in normal schools and colleges were concerned the use of technology was far from being used.

Some of the challenges or issues with regards of use of technology were: The use of social media was a taboo. The use of computers, laptops, tablets, e-notebooks, i-pads, etc. was restricted to very important work, projects, surfing for information. The mindset was also that the possession of such gadgets was for the supremacy of the upper middle class and rich. The fewer propensities of availability and possession of smart phones, unstable internet connectivity and low bandwidth were also important concerns in the semi urban and rural areas in India. There were number of reasons or excuses given for non usage of the gadgets as well as the technology, but this lockdown has made it compulsory across gender, income, age, and area of residence. It also dealt with a basic rationale; the mindset of teachers and students. Though available, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was least used. Amidst all the odds, stress, tension, pressure of work from home, handling children, all schools, colleges, educational institutions closed, due to this pandemic, use of ICT has come as a silver lining is the dark cloud.

COVID-19 had led to lockdown, curfew and to some extent shutdown of shops, temples, malls, small medium and large companies, schools, colleges, etc. but Education is not and cannot be stopped. It is a process and therefore it tends to continue. The whole gamut of education has become technology-driven, and therefore, undoubtedly, it is necessary to opt for online teaching and learning methodologies without of course, compromising the quality of Education. The teaching learning and evaluation have taken an extensive leap in this lockdown period. To take few glimpses of today’s scenario, the schools, colleges and educational institutions have started with online lectures/ teaching curbed to their respective syllabus. The faculties are upgrading their subject knowledge and development of e-contents by attending different webinars, faculty development programmes, workshops, etc. The faculties and students are attending webinars and workshops across disciplines like environment, yoga, information technology and so on and getting acquainted with the virtual classrooms. All this is done irrespective of their area of study or specialization that they have opted for, without travelling and in the safety and comfort of their home. Number of Learning Management System Software, evaluation software, were already in existence; but now put to use in real sense to the bottom of the pyramid. Apart from these, some of the other importance of digital education or teaching and learning are that the students can redo their lessons, go through the recorded lectures again and as there are number of recorded lectures on the same concept by different teachers, the students have the liberty to listen and understand the concept from the source they comprehend.

The stakeholders in the field of education have plunge into the depth of understanding the need of innovation in education. It’s time to gauge the unexplored potentials of teachers and students. Some measures are already taken and with a bit enhanced momentum will go a long way in the future of education in India. The Government, Universities and regulating bodies need to make a framework for digital education where quality will not be compromised. Research and development to be made to enhance online education that is more secured, authentic and credible for teaching, learning and evaluation. Redesigning the syllabus, that is, skill oriented and industry/ job oriented. This will enhance the efficacy of the industries in future. Much of the work is to be done in infrastructure development, e-portals, high speed connectivity, computers in schools and colleges in the urban and particularly in the semi-urban and rural areas, this will enable education to percolate to the last person.

The covid-19 pandemic started world-wide from December 2019 and in India took its pace around March 2020. The scenario is getting worst with no signs of slowing down. If corona is tough, one needs to be tougher. India is surpassing the teething adoption issues and ushering in the era of blended teaching, learning and evaluation. This will lead to boundary less collaborations, innovations in education and bridge the geographical divide and enable quality teaching learning opportunities at low cost. The only thing in this despair is hope. The lockdown in a manner has pushed the education system for a change. It’s time to embrace the technology as it helps in knowledge accumulation, and this pandemic is playing the role of catalyst for educational institutions to search for innovative solutions in the shortest possible period of time. This pandemic have given an golden opportunity for redesigning the entire Indian Education System, that was so called as clerk making or herd system into a system that will churn out the best in the youth, who are ready for the industries and companies and also responsible citizens. The stakeholders in the field of education need to be agile and with everyone contributing their part will go a long way not only in sustaining in this lockdown situation but change the face of education in India.

The topic discussed here is multi facet and multidimensional. The impact can be Academic, personal, social, psychological, economic, political, etc.

One aspect of the dimension of academic that is the positive side in the field of education is attempted here.