Education of Scheduled Castes (SC) in India: A Critical Analysis of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in 2023-24
Introduction
Scheduled Castes (SC) form a significant portion of India’s population and play a crucial role in achieving the objectives of universal school education, as envisaged in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Despite various interventions under schemes like Samagra Shiksha, educational attainment among SC students remains challenging, especially at secondary and higher secondary levels.
This article critically analyses the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of SC students at different levels of education in India, citing relevant policy documents and scholarly sources from the public domain, including Education for All in India (https://educationforallinindia.com). The UDISEPlus 2023-24 data has been exclusively used to analyse the education status of Scheduled Castes children in India.
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of Scheduled Castes (SC) at the National Level
Based on UDISE+ 2023-24 data, the GER for SC students at various levels of education is as follows:
|
Level of Education |
Boys | Girls | Total |
| Primary (1-5) |
95.2 |
98.5 |
96.8 |
| Upper Primary (6-8) |
94.1 |
97.3 |
95.6 |
| Elementary (1-8) |
94.8 |
98.0 |
96.3 |
| Secondary (9-10) |
79.0 |
82.3 |
80.6 |
|
Higher Secondary (11-12) |
54.4 | 61.8 |
57.9 |
A clear trend emerges where GER declines as the level of education progresses. While enrolment at the primary level is near universal, there is a sharp drop at secondary and higher secondary levels, indicating high dropout rates and systemic challenges.
State-wise Analysis of GER at Different Levels
Primary Level (1-5)
- States on Track for Universalisation: Assam (116.6), Telangana (114.4), West Bengal (121.6), Manipur (167.2), Mizoram (1993.9)
- States Requiring Urgent Attention: Delhi (55.0), Chandigarh (22.3), Gujarat (75.2), Haryana (82.0).
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by Gender & Level of School Education, 2023-24: Scheduled Castes (SC)
|
India/State
|
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) – Scheduled Castes (SC) |
|||||
| Primary (1 to 5) | Upper Primary (6 to 8) | |||||
| Boys | Girls | Total | Boys | Girls |
Total |
|
| India | 95.2 | 98.5 | 96.8 | 94.1 | 97.3 | 95.6 |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Andhra Pradesh | 103.9 | 104.2 | 104.1 | 107.2 | 104.0 | 105.6 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assam | 113.6 | 119.8 | 116.6 | 90.7 | 97.1 | 93.8 |
| Bihar | 95.2 | 99.3 | 97.1 | 76.6 | 81.8 | 79.1 |
| Chandigarh | 21.4 | 23.4 | 22.3 | 31.9 | 34.0 | 32.9 |
| Chhattisgarh | 94.7 | 96.0 | 95.4 | 96.3 | 98.5 | 97.4 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and | ||||||
| Daman and Diu | 96.2 | 90.0 | 93.3 | 93.4 | 80.2 | 87.1 |
| Delhi | 53.0 | 57.3 | 55.0 | 63.5 | 67.2 | 65.2 |
| Goa | 88.1 | 92.7 | 90.3 | 81.6 | 79.0 | 80.3 |
| Gujarat | 73.2 | 77.6 | 75.2 | 85.0 | 88.0 | 86.4 |
| Haryana | 80.8 | 83.5 | 82.0 | 97.0 | 102.8 | 99.7 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 98.0 | 99.5 | 98.7 | 99.3 | 102.9 | 101.0 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 135.0 | 138.5 | 136.7 | 93.8 | 95.3 | 94.5 |
| Jharkhand | 91.9 | 93.3 | 92.6 | 83.7 | 87.5 | 85.5 |
| Karnataka | 99.5 | 101.5 | 100.4 | 102.1 | 102.1 | 102.1 |
| Kerala | 93.4 | 93.5 | 93.5 | 96.0 | 96.6 | 96.3 |
| Ladakh | 343.0 | 1081.7 | 578.1 | 344.9 | 256.8 | 306.9 |
| Lakshadweep | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Madhya Pradesh | 82.3 | 84.1 | 83.2 | 86.9 | 88.5 | 87.7 |
| Maharashtra | 100.4 | 105.1 | 102.6 | 98.2 | 100.0 | 99.1 |
| Manipur | 165.4 | 169.1 | 167.2 | 125.9 | 135.5 | 130.5 |
| Meghalaya | 693.9 | 735.7 | 713.5 | 442.0 | 355.8 | 399.9 |
| Mizoram | 2024.0 | 1960.1 | 1993.9 | 1723.8 | 2678.2 | 2117.5 |
| Nagaland | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Odisha | 101.0 | 101.5 | 101.3 | 99.5 | 100.8 | 100.2 |
| Puducherry | 65.6 | 69.0 | 67.2 | 68.4 | 70.4 | 69.4 |
| Punjab | 107.6 | 106.8 | 107.2 | 101.9 | 101.8 | 101.9 |
| Rajasthan | 97.2 | 102.1 | 99.5 | 97.1 | 101.2 | 99.1 |
| Sikkim | 161.2 | 165.6 | 163.4 | 143.5 | 147.9 | 145.6 |
| Tamil Nadu | 96.8 | 99.4 | 98.1 | 105.5 | 104.9 | 105.2 |
| Telangana | 113.2 | 115.6 | 114.4 | 108.5 | 108.9 | 108.7 |
| Tripura | 128.0 | 134.6 | 131.2 | 104.4 | 109.9 | 107.0 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 87.8 | 92.2 | 89.8 | 88.4 | 94.5 | 91.3 |
| Uttarakhand | 105.3 | 111.4 | 108.2 | 98.3 | 104.5 | 101.2 |
| West Bengal | 121.5 | 121.6 | 121.6 | 116.5 | 116.0 | 116.2 |
| Source: UDISE+ 2023-24 | ||||||
| ‘-‘: Proportion of SC population in state has been significantly less, so GER has not been reported. | ||||||
Upper Primary Level (6-8)
-
States on Track:
Punjab (101.9), Tamil Nadu (105.2), Telangana (108.7), West Bengal (116.2)
- States Requiring Attention: Bihar (79.1), Delhi (65.2), Gujarat (86.4)
Elementary Level (1-8)
- States on Track: West Bengal (119.5), Telangana (112.1), Tamil Nadu (100.8)
- States Requiring Attention: Delhi (58.9), Chandigarh (26.3), Gujarat (79.5)
Secondary Level (9-10)
-
States on Track:
West Bengal (117.4), Punjab (91.9), Tamil Nadu (99.1)
-
States Requiring Urgent Attention:
Bihar (50.4), Jharkhand (59.4), Uttar Pradesh (62.8), Chhattisgarh (79.2)
Higher Secondary Level (11-12)
-
States on Track:
Punjab (79.0), Tamil Nadu (81.6), Telangana (74.9)
-
States Requiring Urgent Attention:
Bihar (32.0), Uttar Pradesh (50.1), Jharkhand (36.7), Madhya Pradesh (42.5)
Critical Analysis
-
Declining GER with Higher Levels of Education:
The GER for SC students decreases significantly from primary (96.8) to higher secondary (57.9), reflecting high dropout rates and barriers to continued education.
-
Gender Disparities:
While GER for SC girls is higher than boys at all levels, they face additional socio-economic constraints, affecting retention at the secondary and higher secondary levels.
-
State Disparities:
States like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal perform well, while Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand show concerning trends at higher education levels.
-
Need for Strengthening Secondary Education:
The sharp decline in GER at secondary and higher secondary levels highlights the need for targeted interventions, including financial support, hostel facilities, and improved quality of education.
Policy References and Recommendations
Several policy documents highlight the importance of SC Education:
-
NEP 2020
emphasizes equity and inclusion, ensuring access to quality education for marginalized groups.
-
Samagra Shiksha
provides targeted support for SC students through scholarships, hostels, and vocational education.
-
Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009
ensures free and compulsory education for up to 14 years, which can be strengthened for SC students.
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by Gender & Level of School Education, 2023-24: Scheduled Castes (SC)
| India/State
|
Elementary (1 to 8) |
Secondary (9-10) | Higher Secondary (11-12) | |||||||||
| Boys | Girls | Total | Boys | Girls | Total | Boys | Girls |
Total |
||||
| India | 94.8 | 98.0 | 96.3 | 79.0 | 82.3 | 80.6 | 54.4 | 61.8 | 57.9 | |||
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| Andhra Pradesh | 105.2 | 104.2 | 104.7 | 103.0 | 99.6 | 101.3 | 65.6 | 76.4 | 70.9 | |||
| Arunachal Pradesh | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| Assam | 104.3 | 110.5 | 107.3 | 70.7 | 81.2 | 75.9 | 34.4 | 37.6 | 35.9 | |||
| Bihar | 88.5 | 93.0 | 90.7 | 45.4 | 56.1 | 50.4 | 29.7 | 34.7 | 32.0 | |||
| Chandigarh | 25.4 | 27.4 | 26.3 | 38.9 | 43.0 | 40.8 | 39.2 | 46.1 | 42.3 | |||
| Chhattisgarh | 95.3 | 96.9 | 96.1 | 74.3 | 84.3 | 79.2 | 43.0 | 57.4 | 50.0 | |||
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and | ||||||||||||
| Daman and Diu | 95.1 | 85.9 | 90.7 | 97.7 | 119.2 | 107.0 | 73.8 | 91.9 | 82.0 | |||
| Delhi | 57.0 | 61.1 | 58.9 | 62.6 | 66.5 | 64.4 | 50.7 | 62.2 | 56.2 | |||
| Goa | 85.7 | 87.4 | 86.5 | 63.3 | 79.2 | 70.6 | 59.2 | 78.9 | 69.0 | |||
| Gujarat | 77.7 | 81.7 | 79.5 | 72.3 | 70.7 | 71.5 | 39.3 | 47.1 | 43.0 | |||
| Haryana | 86.8 | 90.6 | 88.6 | 88.8 | 93.7 | 91.1 | 52.0 | 67.6 | 59.2 | |||
| Himachal Pradesh | 98.5 | 100.8 | 99.6 | 98.8 | 102.0 | 100.3 | 74.6 | 82.9 | 78.6 | |||
| Jammu and Kashmir | 115.8 | 118.6 | 117.1 | 77.8 | 79.1 | 78.4 | 34.8 | 41.9 | 38.0 | |||
| Jharkhand | 88.9 | 91.1 | 90.0 | 55.2 | 64.0 | 59.4 | 33.8 | 40.0 | 36.7 | |||
| Karnataka | 100.5 | 101.7 | 101.1 | 98.5 | 102.5 | 100.4 | 49.8 | 63.0 | 56.1 | |||
| Kerala | 94.4 | 94.7 | 94.6 | 94.6 | 95.3 | 94.9 | 93.1 | 95.9 | 94.5 | |||
| Ladakh | 343.7 | 662.6 | 460.8 | 536.7 | 578.2 | 556.7 | 208.2 | 394.4 | 299.8 | |||
| Lakshadweep | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| Madhya Pradesh | 84.0 | 85.7 | 84.8 | 71.8 | 72.6 | 72.2 | 41.1 | 44.1 | 42.5 | |||
| Maharashtra | 99.5 | 103.1 | 101.2 | 96.3 | 97.6 | 96.9 | 70.1 | 75.6 | 72.7 | |||
| Manipur | 149.1 | 155.2 | 152.0 | 111.0 | 115.8 | 113.3 | 80.6 | 91.5 | 85.9 | |||
| Meghalaya | 589.0 | 570.0 | 580.0 | 331.0 | 398.7 | 362.6 | 175.1 | 290.5 | 229.4 | |||
| Mizoram | 1901.5 | 2212.8 | 2041.2 | 2302.2 | 1072.5 | 1512.8 | 562.4 | 734.1 | 640.4 | |||
| Nagaland | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| Odisha | 100.4 | 101.2 | 100.8 | 84.3 | 85.8 | 85.0 | 54.5 | 59.8 | 57.1 | |||
| Puducherry | 66.7 | 69.6 | 68.1 | 69.7 | 69.7 | 69.7 | 56.2 | 63.3 | 59.7 | |||
| Punjab | 105.4 | 104.9 | 105.2 | 90.4 | 93.5 | 91.9 | 76.2 | 82.3 | 79.0 | |||
| Rajasthan | 97.2 | 101.8 | 99.3 | 82.8 | 86.1 | 84.3 | 59.4 | 63.9 | 61.5 | |||
| Sikkim | 153.6 | 158.1 | 155.8 | 131.9 | 162.8 | 146.0 | 74.8 | 98.9 | 86.8 | |||
| Tamil Nadu | 100.2 | 101.6 | 100.8 | 98.8 | 99.4 | 99.1 | 74.2 | 89.2 | 81.6 | |||
| Telangana | 111.4 | 112.9 | 112.1 | 90.0 | 93.7 | 91.8 | 69.6 | 80.6 | 74.9 | |||
| Tripura | 118.0 | 124.0 | 120.9 | 85.8 | 89.9 | 87.8 | 56.6 | 62.9 | 59.6 | |||
| Uttar Pradesh | 88.0 | 93.0 | 90.4 | 62.5 | 63.2 | 62.8 | 49.7 | 50.7 | 50.1 | |||
| Uttarakhand | 102.6 | 108.7 | 105.5 | 91.1 | 99.1 | 94.9 | 68.9 | 85.2 | 76.5 | |||
| West Bengal | 119.5 | 119.4 | 119.5 | 117.6 | 117.1 | 117.4 | 68.7 | 83.0 | 75.8 | |||
| Source: UDISE+ 2023-24 | ‘-‘: Proportion of SC population in state has been significantly less, so GER has not been reported. | |||||||||||
Role of Samagra Shiksha in Improving SC Education
Samagra Shiksha provides resources for infrastructural development, teacher training, scholarships, and digital learning tools. However, additional inputs are needed:
- Bridge Programs: To support SC students transitioning from elementary to secondary levels.
- Remedial Classes: To improve learning outcomes and retention.
- Targeted Scholarships: To financially support SC students in secondary and higher secondary education.
- Hostel and Transportation Facilities: To address distance and safety concerns, particularly for girls.
Concluding Observations
Achieving universal school education for SC students by 2030 requires a multi-pronged approach. While primary-level enrolment is high, urgent attention is needed at the secondary and higher secondary levels. Effective implementation of Samagra Shiksha, coupled with state-specific interventions and informed by policy documents, can bridge gaps and ensure equitable education for SC students in India. For further insights and data analysis, refer to Education for All in India (https://educationforallinindia.com).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Scheduled Castes GER, UDISEPlus 2023-24
- What is the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for SC students at different levels of education?
GER for SC students varies across levels, with near-universal enrolment at the primary level (96.8) but a significant drop at the higher secondary level (57.9), as per UDISE+ 2023-24. - Why does GER decline for SC students at higher levels of education?
Factors such as socio-economic barriers, lack of secondary school infrastructure, early marriage, and financial constraints contribute to lower GER at secondary and higher secondary levels. - How can Samagra Shiksha help in improving SC education?
Samagra Shiksha provides scholarships, hostels, teacher training, and digital learning support to improve educational access and retention for SC students. - Which states have the highest GER for SC students?
States like West Bengal, Telangana, and Punjab have relatively higher GER, indicating better enrolment and retention rates. - What policies support the education of SC students?
Policies such as NEP 2020, Samagra Shiksha, and the RTE Act ensure inclusive and equitable access to education for SC students.
