This paper outlines some of the critical developments in adult education, continuing education (CE) and lifelong learning (LLL) in India; and reflects on the programmes and their mechanisms, and the possibility of their innovative contribution. It has been pointed out that out-of-school education, adult education, and open distance learning remain the major players and concerns in lifelong learning, though there is increasing public expenditure on primary and elementary education. While innovative mechanisms are visible in areas of: policy directives and government funding support, decentralized and community-based implementation, deployment of information and communications technology, open and distance learning, and diversified curricular reforms, there are still areas like bureaucratization, horizontal and vertical linkage, ICT integration, capacity building of CE and LLL functionaries, and national vocational qualifications framework (and, accreditation of prior learning) which need further attention. Arguably, lifelong education movements and initiatives will continue to occupy the largest concern of the government in times to come.

Keywords

adult education · continuing education · Lifelong learning in India · open and distance learning