The global education development agenda reflected in the Goal 4 (SDG4) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by India in 2015 - seeks to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030. To accomplish Goal 4, NEP 2020 emphasised on creating virtual labs so that all students have equal access to quality practical and hands-on experiment-based learning experiences.

With the increasing challenges posed by the technological advancements, the young generation is required to develop skills of critical thinking and problem solving. Such opportunities can be provided to learners through pedagogical modifications. Pedagogy must evolve to make education more experiential, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, flexible, and enjoyable. This can be achieved by following learning by doing approach.

Learning by doing is a process in which learners understand concepts by their experience which they get by engaging in the activities. This gives them a chance to explore and dive into the details. Teachers can support by using hands-on and creative modes of learning on a regular basis.

As per recommendation of NEP 2020, Virtual Labs were launched on DIKSHA on 29th July, 2022, which not only help learners but educators as well by making learning experiential, using simulator students understand concepts by performing experiments online not merely by watching videos or reading text. Till date, around 218 virtual lab activities are available in DIKSHA portal for Science (164 activities), Maths (37 activities), English (12 activities), and Computer science (5 activities). As of date, the usage report shows 98804 plays with 149329.49 minutes playtime.

Virtual labs provide equal access to laboratory experience virtually to every child. Using this platform, experiments can be performed anytime and anywhere. Simulations not only provide opportunity to perform experiments but also to think and analyse the outcomes of the different combinations selected during the experiment. Simulations stimulate the nerve cells to improve critical thinking ability of children. To make efficient use of the potential of resources available on Virtual Labs, teachers need to be provided orientation from the purpose to pedagogical incorporation and implications of Virtual Labs in the classroom.