Srinagar, Aug 29: According to the latest UDISE+ data from the Education Ministry, total school enrollment in India declined for the third consecutive year. From 2022‑23 to 2024‑25, enrollment fell from 25.18 crore to 24.80 crore, and further down to 24.69 crore in 2024‑25—marking a reduction of approximately 11 lakh students (0.5%) compared to the previous year The Indian Express.
The UDISE+ 2024–25 report also showcases modernization efforts: now, over 63% of schools have computers and internet access. However, gaps persist—such as nearly 8,000 schools with zero enrollment, over 1 lakh single-teacher schools, and only 55% of schools being inclusive with barrier-free infrastructure like ramps and handrail.
As per an Indian express report, the decline was predominantly in government and government-aided schools, while private school enrollment increased from 8.42 crore (2022‑23) to 9.59 crore (2024‑25). As a result, private schools now account for 39% of total enrollments—the highest share since at least 2018‑19. In contrast, government school enrollment dropped sharply, from 13.62 crore in 2022‑23 to 12.16 crore in 2024‑25
Notably, the sharpest decline in student enrollment was seen in primary classes (Grades 1–5). In contrast, other segments—including pre-primary, upper primary (Grades 6–8), secondary (Grades 9–10), and higher secondary (Grades 11–12)—experienced slight increases in enrollment numbers.There was also a significant improvement in the secondary-level dropout rate, which dropped from 13.8% in 2022–23 to 8.2% in 2024–25.
As per reports, when it comes to the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER):
The foundational stage (pre-primary to Grade 2) remained mostly unchanged at 41.4%—nearly identical to the previous year’s 41.5%.
The preparatory stage (Grades 3–5) recorded a small decrease, slipping from 96.5% to 95.4%.
However, GER figures increased for both middle and secondary levels, reflecting modest progress.
As per officials these figures are based on population projections from the 2011 Census, and emphasized that a new census is necessary to produce more reliable and up-to-date estimates.
In response to questions about the continued drop in enrolment, a senior official from the Ministry of Education explained that the trend likely reflects a shift in demographics, especially due to declining birth rates.
