There is no concept There is no concept of dropping out in higher education, Minister
There is no concept of dropping out of higher education: Union Minister of State for Education (April 3, 2025)
The statement by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, as reported on April 3, 2025, reflects a progressive shift in India’s higher education framework under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The claim that “there is no concept of dropping out in higher education” hinges on the introduction of flexible academic structures such as multiple entry and exit options, the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), and the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS). These reforms aim to accommodate students’ diverse needs, allowing them to switch courses or programs without being labelled dropouts. Additionally, initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Scheme, fee waivers, study loans under the PM-Vidyalakshmi scheme, and digital learning platforms like SWAYAM and the National Digital Library (NDL) are designed to enhance access and retention in higher education.
Support with Facts and Figures
- NEP 2020 Reforms: The NEP 2020 envisions a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education of 50 percent by 2035, up from 26.3 percent in 2018 (All India Survey on Higher Education, AISHE 2019-20). The multiple entry-exit system allows students to earn certificates, diplomas, or degrees based on credits accumulated, reducing the stigma and finality of “dropping out.”
- Financial Support: Under the PM-USP scheme, over 3.5 lakh students received scholarships in 2022-23 (Ministry of Education data), easing financial burdens that often lead to the discontinuation of studies.
- Mental Health Initiatives: The MANODARPAN initiative, highlighted by Majumdar, addresses mental health, a key factor in student retention. A 2023 ICMR study observed that 12-15 percent of college students in India experience mental health challenges, with suicide being a leading cause of death among youth aged 15-29 (National Crime Records Bureau, 2022).
- Institutional Growth: The number of higher education institutions has risen, with 1,168 universities and over 42,000 colleges reported in AISHE 2021-22, expanding student access and options.
These measures align with Majumdar’s assertion, as they create a system where students can pause, pivot, or resume education rather than permanently exit. Focusing on counselling cells, grievance redressal, and remedial coaching further supports student persistence.
Concerns About School Education Dropouts
While the higher education reforms are commendable, the minister’s statement sidesteps a critical concern: dropout rates in school education, which serve as the pipeline to higher education. The transition from school to college remains a bottleneck; without addressing this, the vision of NEP 2020 may fall short.
- High Dropout Rates in Schools: According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISEPlus) 2023-24, the dropout rate at the secondary level (Class 9-10) was 14.1 percent, and at the upper primary level (Class 6-8), it was 5.2 percent. Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) GER in 2023-24 are low – 57.9 percent and 48.7 percent at the higher secondary level, respectively, which shows that most SC and ST children do not reach this level of education.
- Gender Disparity: The dropout rate for girls at the secondary level was 13.8 percent compared to 11.5 percent, driven by socio-economic factors like early marriage and lack of infrastructure (e.g., school toilets). However, enrolment ratio at the higher secondary level favors girls in the case of SC (Boys, 54.4 percent & Girls, 62.8 percent) and ST (Boys, 46.0 percent & Girls, 52.4 percent) children. Further, it is observed that irrespective of a level of education, GPI is above 1.0, indicating more girls are in the system than boys.
- Impact on Higher Education: Only 71.5 percent of students who complete Class 10 enroll in Class 11 (UDISE+), and even fewer transition to higher education. This leakage undermines the GER target, as students who drop out before Class 12 cannot benefit from NEP’s flexible higher education options.
- Rural-Urban Divide: In rural areas, where 65 percent of India’s population resides (Census 2011), quality schooling is limited. The ASER 2023 report found that 25 percent of rural youth aged 14-18 struggle with basic reading and math, pushing them out of the education system early.
Commentary
Majumdar’s optimism about higher education is well-founded, given the NEP 2020’s structural innovations. The flexibility of ABC and CBCS, coupled with financial and psychological support, could redefine “dropping out” as a temporary pause rather than a permanent exit. However, this narrative risks complacency if it overlooks the foundational crisis in school education. Without addressing high dropout rates at the secondary level – where students are lost before they even reach higher education – the benefits of NEP 2020 will remain inaccessible to millions. For instance, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) reported that only 41.5 percent of women aged 15-49 completed 10 or more years of schooling, signaling a systemic failure that higher education reforms alone cannot fix.
To truly eliminate the concept of dropping out, the government must adopt a holistic approach -strengthening school retention through infrastructure (e.g., more schools in rural areas), teacher training, and targeted interventions for marginalized groups. Only then can the promise of “multiple options” in higher education be realized for all, not just those who survive the school system.
