Analysing Distribution of UDISEPlus 2024-25 Schools, Enrolment & Teachers towards NEP 2020 Goals
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a transformative shift in India’s education landscape, emphasizing equitable access, robust infrastructure, and a well-distributed teaching workforce to foster holistic development. As we move deeper into the implementation phase, the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report for 2024-25 offers a vital snapshot of progress. Released by the Ministry of Education, this annual compilation tracks key metrics across schools, enrolments, and educators nationwide. This analysis draws exclusively from the UDISE+ 2024-25 data to examine school infrastructure availability, enrolment trends by category and social groups, and teacher deployment patterns. By highlighting national aggregates and state-wise variations, we assess alignment with NEP’s goals – such as universal foundational literacy, reduced disparities, and improved pupil-teacher ratios (PTRs). For the full report, visit the Official UDISE+ portal.
National Overview: A Growing Education Ecosystem
India’s school education system continues to expand, with the 2024-25 UDISE+ data reporting 1,471,473 schools serving 246,932,680 enrolments (pre-primary to higher secondary) and employing 10,122,420 teachers. This marks a steady evolution from prior years, underscoring increased participation, though challenges in equity and quality persist. However, the decline in the number of schools – particularly after UDISE 2017-18 – along with erratic enrollment trends over time, raises serious questions about the quality and reliability of UDISEPlus data. It is reiterated that from DISE to UDISE, during the period from 1994 to 2018, the system was managed by the apex planning institute, namely NIEPA; thereafter, in its new avatar as UDISEPlus, it is being managed by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
Primary schools dominate the landscape, accounting for 49.6% of all institutions, followed by upper primary (29.5%), secondary (9.7%), and higher secondary (11.2%). Enrolments skew similarly, with 48.0% at the primary level, 25.8% upper primary, 15.1% secondary, and 11.2% higher secondary. Teachers are more evenly spread, with 32.2% at higher secondary levels – reflecting NEP’s push for stronger senior-stage staffing.
State-wise share of schools, enrolment and teachers UDISEPlus 2024-25 Ministry of Education
These figures align with NEP’s 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, which prioritizes foundational years. However, the concentration of schools and enrolments at lower levels highlights the need for targeted investments in secondary and higher secondary infrastructure to prevent dropouts.
Table 1: Distribution Across School Categories (Source: UDISE+ 2024-25)
| Category | % Share of Schools | % Share of Enrolments | % Share of Teachers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 49.6% | 48.0% | 23.4% |
| Upper Primary | 29.5% | 25.8% | 28.6% |
| Secondary | 9.7% | 15.1% | 15.8% |
| Higher Secondary | 11.2% | 11.2% | 32.2% |
Enrolment Patterns: Bridging Gaps in Access and Equity
Enrolment trends reveal both achievements and inequities. Nationally, gross enrolment ratios (GER) remain high at the primary stage (declined in 2024-25 over previous years), but disparities emerge across social categories and regions. The UDISE+ report details enrolments by management (Government, Aided, Private unaided) and levels, showing private institutions handling a growing share – particularly in urban and higher stages – while government schools anchor rural and foundational education.
Total (I-XII) and Primary (I-V) Enrolment at All-India Level: UDISE 2017-18 to 2024-25
| Year | Total Enrolment (Million) | Primary Enrolment (Million) | Change from Previous Year (Million) | GER – Elementary (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 250.99 | 121.84 | – | 93.2 |
| 2018-19 | 248.87 | 120.50 | -2.12 | 92.8 |
| 2019-20 | 246.12 | 118.92 | -2.75 | 92.1 |
| 2021-22 | 255.74 | 121.84 | +9.62 | 109.66 |
| 2022-23 | 241.62 | 112.42 | -7.42 | 99.6 |
| 2023-24 | 234.97 | 107.84 | -8.92 | 96.3 |
| 2024-25 | 232.89 | 104.38 | -2.08 | 90.6 |
Enrolment at All-India Level by Levels of Education: UDISE 2017-18 to 2024-25
| Management | 2017-18 | %age to
Total Enrolment |
2021-22 | Change Over
Previous Year
|
%age to
Total Enrolment |
2023-24 | %age to
Total Enrolment |
2024-25 | %ageto
Total Enrolment |
| Government | 131771929 | 52.5 | 140498718 | 8073074 | 55.37 | 124256425 | 52.88 | 118378009 | 50.83 |
| Aided Management | 27988493 | 11.15 | 26647860 | 201528 | 10.73 | 25200960 | 10.73 | 24447171 | 10.50 |
| Private Unaided | 83311659 | 33.19 | 82450325 | -5639060 | 31.93 | 80883167 | 34.42 | 85702047 | 36.80 |
| Others | 7917112 | 3.15 | 6143720 | -699380 | 1.97 | 4622479 | 1.97 | 4358373 | 1.87 |
| Total I to XII | 250989193 | 100.00 | 255740623 | 1936162 | 100.00 | 234963031 | 100,00 | 232885600 | 100.00 |
The summary of the tables presented above is as follows:
- Declining Enrolment Trends: The consistent drop in total and primary enrolment, particularly post-2021-22, signals challenges in retaining students and attracting new ones. The decline in primary enrolment (104.38 million in 2024-25) is especially alarming, as it forms the foundation for universal education. This trend, coupled with a falling elementary GER (90.6% in 2024-25), suggests India is moving further from the 100% GER target, potentially due to socio-economic factors, migration to private schools, or data reliability issues.
- Shift to Private Schools: The growing share of private unaided schools (36.80% in 2024-25) indicates parental preference for perceived better quality, potentially undermining NEP’s emphasis on strengthening public education. Government schools, which cater to the majority, especially marginalized groups, are losing ground. This could exacerbate inequities, as private schools are often inaccessible to economically disadvantaged students, hindering NEP’s goal of inclusive education.
- Social Category Breakdown: While detailed state-wise proportions indicate that scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) comprise significant shares, emphasizing NEP’s focus on inclusive education. Minority enrolments also show steady integration.
- Gender Parity: Enrolments are nearly balanced, with girls comprising about 48-49% across levels, a positive step towards NEP’s gender-inclusive goals.
- Children with Special Needs (CWSN): Data on enrolment of CWSN students, underscoring the need for inclusive infrastructure like ramps and specialized aids.
State-wise share of enrolment by levels of education UDISEPlus_2024-25 Ministry of Education
State variations are stark. For instance, Uttar Pradesh leads in absolute enrolments (42,789,347), but its primary school share (51.7%) exceeds the national average, signalling foundational strengths amid secondary gaps. In contrast, West Bengal’s 79.3% primary schools reflect a rural-heavy system, with enrolments at 47.8% primary.
Table 2: Selected States’ Enrolment Distribution (Source: UDISE+ 2024-25)
| State/UT | Total Enrolments | Primary % | Upper Primary % | Secondary % | Higher Secondary % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 246,932,680 | 48.0% | 25.8% | 15.1% | 11.2% |
| Uttar Pradesh | 42,789,347 | 48.5% | 26.4% | 13.3% | 11.8% |
| Maharashtra | 21,272,611 | 44.4% | 25.6% | 17.0% | 13.1% |
| Bihar | 21,133,228 | 50.3% | 26.9% | 13.1% | 9.7% |
| West Bengal | 17,081,511 | 47.8% | 25.7% | 17.4% | 9.2% |
These patterns align with NEP’s emphasis on bridging urban-rural divides, but low secondary enrolments in states like Bihar (13.1%) highlight dropout risks, necessitating vocational integration as per NEP.
For deeper dives, explore State-wise enrolment highlights.
Teacher Distribution: Towards Quality and Equity
Teachers are the bedrock of NEP 2020, with goals for professional development and equitable deployment. The 2024-25 data shows 10,122,420 teachers, with a national PTR of around 24:1 at primary levels – improving from previous years but varying widely.
- By Category: Higher secondary claims 32.2% of teachers, a shift from primary-heavy distributions, supporting NEP’s senior secondary focus.
- Training and Qualifications: UDISEPlus 2024-25 data further reveals over 90% trained teachers nationally, with gender parity improving (females at ~55% in primary). Professional qualifications exceed 85%, bolstering quality.
- Non-Teaching Staff: Data on non-teaching staff notes adequate support staff in government schools, aiding administrative efficiency.
State-wise, Chandigarh excels with 67.6% teachers at higher secondary, while Arunachal Pradesh’s 18.1% there indicates resource strains in remote areas. PTRs are lowest in Delhi (urban density) and highest in Bihar, calling for targeted recruitment. Despite having over 1,01,22,420 teachers and an average of 7 teachers per school, approximately 1,04,125 schools are reported as single-teacher schools, with another 7,993 schools having no enrollment. It is not a shortage of teachers but rather their deployment that appears to be the serious issue.
Table 3: Selected States’ Teacher Distribution (Source: UDISE+ 2024-25)
| State/UT | Total Teachers | Primary % | Upper Primary % | Secondary % | Higher Secondary % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 10,122,420 | 23.4% | 28.6% | 15.8% | 32.2% |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1,615,427 | 36.0% | 34.3% | 5.1% | 24.6% |
| Maharashtra | 747,501 | 18.5% | 26.8% | 25.1% | 29.7% |
| Bihar | 707,516 | 21.5% | 54.8% | 2.1% | 21.7% |
| West Bengal | 583,825 | 52.6% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 34.2% |
Infrastructure: Foundations for NEP’s Aspirations
State-wise share of schools by facilities UDISEPlus 2024-25 Ministry of Education
Challenges persist in north-eastern states like Mizoram (lower secondary infrastructure shares) and aspirational districts. Pre-primary sections in primary schools (Table 3.7) cover over 70% of government primaries, supporting NEP’s foundational stage.
Percentage-Distribution-of-Schools-by-Facilities-UDISEPLus-2024-25
Aadhaar integration stands at 98%, enabling better tracking, while additional enrolments in private pre-primaries highlight unregulated sector growth – a NEP concern for standardization.
State-Wise Insights: Variations and Opportunities
Diving deeper, southern states like Tamil Nadu (59.2% primary schools) show balanced growth, with 54.0% teachers at higher secondary. Northern powerhouses like Uttar Pradesh grapple with scale, boasting 262,358 schools but only 9.3% higher secondary. North-eastern regions, such as Meghalaya (64.2% primary enrolments), face terrain-related hurdles, yet boast high foundational participation.
Union Territories like Delhi (34.2% higher secondary schools) exemplify urban models, with 71.3% teachers there. These variances underscore NEP’s decentralized approach, urging tailored interventions.
Towards NEP 2020 Goals: Progress and Pathways
The 2024-25 UDISE+ data signals encouraging strides: rising higher secondary focus, improved training, and infrastructure universality. Yet, to fully realize NEP’s vision – 100% GER by 2030, 50% vocational exposure, and equitable quality—addressing secondary transitions, teacher shortages in underserved areas, and private sector regulation is crucial.
Stakeholders must leverage this data for evidence-based policies. As India aims for a $5 trillion economy, investing in education’s human capital is non-negotiable.
For more analysis of UDISEPlus 2024-25 data, read our series on Education for All in India.
This analysis is based on the UDISE+ 2024-25 Report from the Ministry of Education. All data sourced directly from official tables for accuracy.
