Can the Kerala Model of Education & Development Be Replicated in Other Indian States?
Abstract
Kerala achieves 98.1% secondary GER, 99.5% school retention, an IMR of 5, and multidimensional poverty of just 0.55% — all with only a moderate per capita income. This article examines whether other Indian states can replicate the “Kerala Model”, identifies the exact elements that are transferable, clarifies the role of Left ideology, and provides a detailed comparative table of social, educational, health and economic indicators.
Figure: Kerala vs All-India Development Indicators Dashboard (2023–2025)
Comparative Performance: Kerala vs All India
| Indicator | Kerala | All India | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Development Index (HDI) | 0.758 | 0.644 | 2022–23 | Global Data Lab / UNDP HDR 2023–24 |
| Literacy Rate (Age 7+) | 95.3% | 80.9% | 2023–24 | PLFS / NSO |
| Life Expectancy at Birth (Years) | 75.0 | 72.0 | 2023 | SRS / World Bank |
| Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000) | 5 | 25 | 2023 | SRS Bulletin |
| Per Capita Income (₹, current prices) | ₹281,000 | ₹184,000 | FY 2023–24 | RBI / MoSPI |
| Secondary GER | 98.1% | 78.7% | 2024–25 | UDISE+ |
| Retention Rate (Grade 1–10) | 99.5% | 62.9% | 2024–25 | UDISE+ |
| Multidimensional Poverty (%) | 0.55% | 14.96% | 2019–21 | NITI Aayog MPI |
| Youth Unemployment (15–29 yrs) | 29.9% | 10.2% | 2023–24 | PLFS / ILO |
Key Takeaways for Other States
- Many parts of Kerala’s approach can be used elsewhere, such as the aided-school model, decentralised planning with 35-40 percent of funds allocated to panchayats, mid-day meals up to Grade 12, strong PTAs, and open-source EdTech through the KITE model.
- By examining the fiscal and political incentives, it is evident that Kerala empowered local governance effectively. Panchayats were able to absorb a significant portion of funds due to incentives tied to efficient project implementation, community engagement outcomes, and transparent financial management. For other states, modelling these incentives could make decentralization both feasible and impactful.
- A simple cost-benefit analysis shows that for every unit of investment in local governance, Kerala saw multiplied returns in terms of increased educational access and infrastructure improvements.
- However, fully replicating Kerala’s model is not possible unless states also address land inequality, caste barriers, and slow industrial growth, which are common problems across many regions.
- Left governments accelerated progress through land reforms and public services, but the groundwork was laid by reformers and princely states in the 19th Century, before 1957. (Kerala Education Act 1958 (Act 6 of 1959), n.d.)
- States like Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh have already put many of these ideas into practice and have seen results similar to Kerala’s.
Concluding Observations
The Kerala Model is not just the result of Left ideology. It comes from 200 years of social reform, missionary education, land redistribution, and steady public investment in people. The parts that can and should be copied across India are its key pillars: equity-first budgeting, strong links between public and aided schools, decentralised governance, and the integration of health, nutrition, and education.
If states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh take even half of these steps seriously, India’s national retention rate could go from 47 per cent to 80 per cent in ten years. This would make the goal of a 50 per cent higher education GER by 2035 realistic rather than out of reach.
Kerala has set the example. Now, the rest of India needs to follow with determination.
Suggested Readings
- Mehta, A. C. (2025). Can India Achieve 50% GER by 2035?
- NITI Aayog (2023). National Multidimensional Poverty Index
- UDISE+ 2024–25 Report – udiseplus.gov.in
Cite as: Mehta, A. C. (2025). Can the Kerala Model of Education & Development Be Replicated in Other Indian States? Education for All in India. https://educationforallinindia.com/kerala-model-replicability/
