UDISEPlus-2024-25-OBC-Enrolment

Share of UDISE+ 2024-25 OBC Enrolment in India’s School Education System

Introduction

The Other Backward Classes (OBC) constitute a significant portion of India’s population, estimated at around 52% as per the Mandal Commission, making their participation in the education system a critical indicator of equity and inclusion. The Unified District Information on School Education (UDISE+) reports provide valuable insights into enrolment trends across social categories. This article explores the share of OBC enrolment in India’s school education system, drawing exclusively from the latest UDISE+ 2024-25 data. While previous years showed steady progress, the 2024-25 report reveals a slight dip in absolute OBC enrolment by approximately 3 lakh students, maintaining the overall share at 45.5% of total enrolment (11.17 crore out of 24.69 crore students). This update retains the essence of the original analysis – focusing on all-India trends, level-wise distribution, and state-wise variations – while incorporating the new data alongside previous years for comparison. The analysis underscores persistent challenges in retention at higher levels and regional disparities, aligning with NEP 2020’s emphasis on inclusive education.

All-India Level Analysis

• Primary (Classes 1-5): 45.3% overall (45.3% boys, 45.3% girls), holding firm from 45.8% in 2023-24—a good sign for early entry.
• Upper Primary (Classes 6-8): 45.4% (45.3% boys, 45.5% girls), steady as before, though cracks in staying power start to show.
• Secondary (Classes 9-10): 45.2% (45.4% boys, 45.1% girls), a small step back from 44.5%, tied to shaky shifts between grades (with dropouts at 11.5%).
• Higher Secondary (Classes 11-12): 46.9% (47.0% boys, 46.9% girls), edging up from 44.0%, likely thanks to better support programs, even as transition rates lag at 75.1%.

The trend suggests OBC kids start school on par with their demographic weight, but roadblocks like spotty facilities and family finances chip away at numbers later on. Still, the uptick at Higher Secondary hints at some positive shifts toward broader goals.

UDISE+ 2024-25: OBC Share at Primary to Higher Secondary Levels

Distribution of States by Percentage OBC Enrolment

The Elementary (Classes I-VIII) OBC enrolment data highlights a tiered landscape, with high-performing states like Kerala (70.3%), Puducherry (73.2%), and Tamil Nadu (70.4%) exceeding 60%, driven by large OBC populations (e.g., Tamil Nadu 70%) and effective reservation policies. Bihar (64.6%) and Karnataka (63.2%) also lead, reflecting their significant OBC bases (63% and ~50-60%, respectively). Moderate states, including India’s average (45.3%), span 30-60%, with Uttar Pradesh (56.8%) and Rajasthan (48.6%) aligning with their demographic shares (>50% and ~48%), while Jharkhand (47.3%) shows steady inclusion. Low-enrolment regions like Arunachal Pradesh (4.2%), Mizoram (0.3%), and Ladakh (0.4%) reflect minimal OBC presence (<10%), dominated by Scheduled Tribes (STs), while urban UTs like Delhi (5.8%) and Chandigarh (3.7%) under-represent due to migration patterns favouring general categories.

Distribution by Total (Classes I-XII) OBC Enrolment Percentage

Critical Analysis and Implications

These 2024-25 numbers back up the first article’s take: OBC shares shine brightest where policies pack a punch, as in Tamil Nadu (71.1%) or Bihar (65.0%), but trail off in places like Arunachal Pradesh (4.1%). Holding at 45.2% for Secondary and climbing to 46.9% for Higher Secondary links to focused efforts, yet stubborn dropouts (11.5% in Secondary) and weak hold rates (62.9% overall through Secondary) hit OBC rural boys hardest. On gender, it’s almost even (45.5% boys, 45.5% girls), a win from initiatives like Samagra Shiksha’s fairness funds.

Further, it is observed that the OBCs filling nearly half the seats gets us closer to their real footprint, but pockets of low uptake flag deeper divides. NEP 2020’s bets on skills training and tech access could help, especially if zeroed in on weaker spots. Steady numbers mean we can’t slack on checks to lock in gains after the pandemic shake-up.

Concluding Observations

Wrapping up the UDISE+ 2024-25 look, OBC enrollment at a firm 45.5% shows quiet steps forward across stages, ringing true with the original call for smarter ways to keep kids in school. To hit that 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio by 2030, India should tap Samagra Shiksha tools – think Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas for girls or need-based scholarships – to close holes and build momentum. Now that the UDISE+ Student Database Management System (SDMS) tracks individual records, including OBC ones, it’s a game-changer for watching these students up close and tweaking support on the fly. Next up, the 2025-26 UDISE+ should roll out gender-split stats on transitions, dropouts, and retention, both nationally and by state, to zero in on weak links and shape fixes.

Right now, without fresh OBC population breakdowns since the 2011 Census (which skipped caste beyond SC/ST), we can’t crunch ratios like GER or NER for them. But trailblazers like Bihar and Karnataka’s caste counts pave the way. With the central government’s nod to add caste to the delayed 2021 Census, we’re on track – once out, pair it with UDISE+ OBC numbers for full-ratio views on their school story. In the meantime, sharpen SDMS data and open it up for planners to use.

Pushing ahead calls for yearly deep dives with clear benchmarks, say a 1% yearly bump in OBC shares for Secondary and beyond. Fair play for OBCs could land by 2035 if we hold that 1% climb. Skip it, and NEP 2020’s dream of education for all stays just that – a dream.

Suggested Readings

• Ministry of Education. (2025). UDISE+ 2024-25 Report. Download PDF.
• Mehta, A. C. (2024). “School Education in India: Where Do We Stand? Analysis based on UDISEPlus 2023-24.” Read on educationforallinindia.com.
• National Education Policy 2020. Official PDF, Section on Equity and Inclusion.
• Mandal Commission Report (1980). Overview and Estimates.

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