India: education

What is the school dropout rate in India?

The dropout rate at secondary level (classes 9 and 10) fell to 7.0% in 2025-26 from 8.2% in 2024-25, according to the Ministry of Education UDISE+ 2025-26 report, released on 7 July 2026. At the preparatory level it fell from 2.3% to 1.8%, and at middle level it was 3.6%. In 2022-23 the secondary dropout rate was 13.8%.

UDISE+ collects data directly from more than 14 lakh schools. The dropout rate is the share of students in a stage who leave school during a year and are not enrolled the next year. Since 2022-23 UDISE+ tracks students individually, which the ministry says gives more accurate figures than before.

Official sources: PIB: UDISE+ 2025-26 report

How many school teachers are there in India?

India had 1,02,73,020 school teachers in 2025-26, up from 1,01,22,420 in 2024-25, according to the Ministry of Education UDISE+ 2025-26 report. The pupil-teacher ratio was 10 at the foundational stage, 12 at preparatory, 17 at middle and 21 at secondary level.

The counts cover teachers in all recognised schools, government and private, that report to UDISE+. A low national ratio can hide shortages in particular schools or subjects; the report also counts single-teacher schools, which fell over the period. Figures by state and district are on the UDISE+ portal.

Official sources: PIB: UDISE+ 2025-26 report

How many students are in higher education in India?

4.50 crore students were enrolled in higher education in India in 2023-24, up from 4.46 crore in 2022-23 and 3.42 crore in 2014-15, according to the Ministry of Education All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), released on 8 July 2026. The gross enrolment ratio (GER) for ages 18 to 23 reached 30 in 2023-24, and the female GER 31.2.

The GER compares total enrolment with the population aged 18 to 23, based on 2011 census projections, so students outside that age group are counted in the numerator. AISHE collects data from universities, colleges and standalone institutions, with more than 90% responding. The National Education Policy 2020 aims for a GER of 50 by 2035.

Official sources: PIB: AISHE 2022-23 and 2023-24 reports

What was the CBSE Class 10 pass percentage in 2026?

The overall pass percentage for CBSE Class X in 2026 was 96.78%, after combining the main and second board examinations, according to the Central Board of Secondary Education press release of 18 July 2026. In the compartment category of the second examination, 52.40% of candidates passed, compared with 48.68% in 2025.

2026 was the first year CBSE held two board examinations for Class X, letting students take a second attempt to improve or to clear subjects. The main Class X results were announced on 15 April 2026 and Class XII results on 13 May 2026. CBSE publishes region-wise and school-wise results statistics on its website.

Official sources: CBSE: Press release, 18 July 2026 (PDF)

How many years of education do Indians have on average?

People aged 15 and over in India had 10.0 years of formal education on average in 2025, with 10.2 years for men and 9.9 for women, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025 from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. In urban areas the averages were 11.2 years for men and 10.9 for women, and in rural areas 9.6 and 9.2.

The figure measures schooling completed, not literacy or learning. It is an average across all ages, so it is pulled down by older generations who had less schooling. The PLFS also reports unemployment by education level; the unemployment rate among people with secondary education or above was 6.5% in 2025.

Official sources: PIB: PLFS Annual Report 2025

What is secondary school enrolment in India?

The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2025, is 79.6%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 55.9% (2005) to 81.2% (2022).

How many students are in higher education in India?

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross tertiary enrolment in India was 34.4% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher.

What is the literacy rate in India?

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the adult literacy rate in India was 78.2% in 2024. Its high point since 2006 was 2023, at 81.7%; its low point was 2006, at 62.8%.

What share of GDP does India spend on education?

The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2022, is 4.1% of GDP. The peak was 4.6% of GDP in 2021 and the low 3.1% of GDP in 2006. Across South Asia the middle value was 4.1% of GDP, and India placed 4th highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 77th of 155.

How many students does each teacher have in India?

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the number of primary pupils per teacher in India at 33 in 2017. Its high point since 2011 was 2016, at 35; its low point was 2014, at 31. South Asia median: 26; India is 2nd highest of 6. Of 130 countries with 2017 data, 24th highest.

What is the primary completion rate in India?

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the primary completion rate in India was 90.3% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2008.