Universal School Education in India: Challenges and Prospects by 2030

Historical Efforts and Evolving Targets for Universal School Education in India


Introduction

Since India’s independence in 1947, universal school education has been a national priority, enshrined in Article 45 of the Constitution, mandating free and compulsory education for children up to age 14 by 1960, inspired by the 1944 Sargent Commission [1]. Resource constraints, population growth, and infrastructural deficits prevented meeting this target. The 1964-66 Kothari Commission recommended universal elementary education by 1976, shaping the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1968, but this goal was missed [2]. NPE 1986 (revised 1992) targeted universalization by 1995, followed by programs like the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP, 1994) and Bihar Education Project (BEP, 1991) [3]. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA, 2001) aimed for universal elementary education by 2010 under the Millennium Development Goals, while the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009 made education a fundamental right for ages 6-14 [4]. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA, 2009) targeted universal secondary access by 2017, and Samagra Shiksha (2018) integrated these efforts [5]. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 now aims for universal school education by 2030, covering pre-primary to secondary levels with 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), foundational literacy, and equitable access [6].

Enrollment (pre-primary to higher secondary) grew from 97 million in 1950-51 to 248 million in 2023-24, with near gender parity and primary GER approaching 100% [7]. However, low secondary (77.4%) and higher secondary (56.2%) GER, high dropout rates (14.1% at secondary), and poor transitions (71.5% from secondary to higher secondary) persist [8]. Socio-economic disparities, rural-urban divides, and post-COVID setbacks remain challenges [9]. Key sources include:

Historical Trends in Key Indicators (2000-2023)

Below are tables and charts summarizing Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), Net Enrolment Ratio (NER), dropout rates, retention rates, Gender Parity Index (GPI), and total enrollment from 2000, based on UDISE+, Educational Statistics at a Glance (ESAG), and MoSPI reports. Data gaps exist for some years, but trends show primary-level progress and secondary-level stagnation.

Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER, %) – All Categories, Total

Year Primary (I-V) Upper Primary (VI-VIII) Secondary (IX-X) Higher Secondary (XI-XII)
2000-01 95.7 58.6 – –
2005-06 109.4 71.0 40.2 –
2010-11 115.5 85.2 65.2 39.3
2015-16 99.2 92.8 80.0 56.2
2021-22 103.4 – – 57.6
2023-24 93.0 89.7 77.4 56.2

Source \UDISE+ 2023-24 (udiseplus.gov.in) and educationforallinindia.com [8, 10].


Analysis: Primary GER peaked in 2010-11 (115.5%) due to SSA/RTE but fell to 93% by 2023-24, reflecting data refinements and post-COVID declines. Secondary GER improved to 77.4%, but higher secondary stagnates at ~56%, far from the NEP 2020 target of 100% by 2030 [8, 10].

Dropout Rates (%) – Total

Year Primary (I-V) Upper Primary (VI-VIII) Secondary (IX-X) Higher Secondary (XI-XII)
2011-12 5.6 2.7 – –
2013-14 4.3 3.8 17.9 –
2015-16 – – 17.1 –
2021-22 1.5 3.0 12.6
2023-24 1.9 5.2 14,1 –

Note: For 2023-24, primary dropout is averaged (1.9-3.7%) and secondary (10.9-14.1%) for charting. Source: Dropout rates align with UDISE+ 2023-24 and educationforallinindia.com [8, 11, 12].


Analysis: Primary dropout rates dropped to ~2% by 2021-22 but rose to 1.9% in 2023-24. Secondary dropout rates improved from 17.9% (2013-14) to 14.1% (2023-24), but states like Bihar report 25% for upper primary [8, 11, 12].

Retention Rates (%) to End of Level

Year Primary (to Class V) Elementary (to Class VIII) Secondary (to Class X) Higher Secondary (to Class XII)
2015-16 85.4 78.0 63.8 45.6
2023-24 85.4 78.0 63.8 45.6

Source: UDISE+ 2023-24 and educationforallinindia.com [13].


Analysis: Retention weakens at higher levels, with only 45.6% completing Class 12. Transition rates (71.5% from secondary to higher secondary) highlight bottlenecks [13].

Gender Parity Index (GPI, Based on GER)

Year Primary Upper Primary Secondary Higher Secondary
2005-06 0.94 0.88 0.80 –
2010-11 1.01 0.95 0.87 –
2015-16 1.03 1.10 1.02 1.01
2021-22 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.03
2023-24 1.03 1.02 1.02 1.07

Source : UDISE+ 2023-24 and educationforallinindia.com [8, 10, 12].


Analysis: GPI has achieved parity or favours girls (1.07 at higher secondary), driven by schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, but absolute enrollment for girls drops at higher levels [8, 10, 12].


Total Enrollment Trends (Classes 1-12, in Millions)

Year Total Enrollment (Millions)
2000-01 185.0
2005-06 210.2
2010-11 243.6
2015-16 251.3
2021-22 256.0
2023-24 235.0

Source: UDISE+ 2023-24, educationforallinindia.com, and Times of India [7, 8, 12].


Analysis: Enrollment rose from 185 million (2000-01) to 256 million (2021-22) due to SSA and RTE but fell to 235 million by 2023-24 (8.12% decline), driven by post-COVID economic pressures and Aadhaar-linked deduplication [7, 8, 12].


Overview of UDISE+ 2023-24 and NEP 2020’s Universal Education Goal

NEP 2020 targets 100% GER from pre-primary to secondary by 2030, emphasizing foundational literacy and equitable access [6]. UDISE+ 2023-24 reports 1.47 million schools, 9.8 million teachers, and 248 million students, detailing enrollment, dropout, and retention across existing (primary, upper primary, secondary, higher secondary) and NEP-aligned (foundational, preparatory, middle, secondary) structures [8]. Enrollment declines and gaps at higher levels challenge the 2030 goal.

Current Enrollment and Access Status

Total enrollment in 2023-24 is 248 million (129 million boys, 119 million girls). Under the existing structure:

  • Primary (Classes 1-5): 108 million, GER 93% (boys 91.8%, girls 94.3%), NER 79%.
  • Upper Primary (Classes 6-8): 63 million, GER 89.7% (boys 88.9%, girls 90.6%), NER 66%.
  • Secondary (Classes 9-10): 37 million, GER 77.4% (boys 76.8%, girls 78%), NER 48.3%.
  • Higher Secondary (Classes 11-12): 27 million, GER 56.2% (boys 54.4%, girls 58.2%), NER 33.8%.

NEP-aligned Structure

  • Foundational (Pre-primary to Class 2): 53 million, GER 41-47%, NER 37.8%.
  • Preparatory (Classes 3-5): 68 million, GER 96.5%, NER 71.4%.
  • Middle (Classes 6-8): 63 million, GER 89.5%, NER 64.4%.
  • Secondary (Classes 9-12): 64 million, GER 66.5%, NER 50.9%.

Source: UDISE+ 2023-24 (udiseplus.gov.in) and educationforallinindia.com. Marginalized groups’ GER (SC: 57.9%, ST: 48.7% at higher secondary) and state disparities (Kerala: 98.5%, Bihar: 81.2% primary GER) [8, 11].

Enrollment and Retention Trends: A Concerning Decline

Enrollment for Classes 1-12 fell from 256 million (2021-22) to 235 million (2023-24), an 8.12% decline (20.8 million students). Primary levels dropped 11.49% (14 million), upper primary 5.49% (3.7 million). Government schools saw a 5.59% decline vs. 3.67% in private schools. Bihar (3.6 million drop) and Uttar Pradesh (2.8 million) led declines. Retention rates are low: 85.4% (primary), 78% (elementary), 63.8% (secondary), 45.6% (higher secondary). Transition rates weaken: 88.8% (primary to upper primary), 83.3% (to secondary), 71.5% (to higher secondary). Dropout rates rose: primary 1.9%, upper primary 5.2%, secondary 14.1%. Between 2022-23 and 2023-24, 5.4 million students dropped out, with boys comprising over 50% at most levels [7, 8, 12].

Key Challenges in Enrollment and Retention

  1. Low Participation at Higher Levels: Secondary GER (77.4%) and higher secondary (56.2%) are far from 100%. NER is lower (33.8% at higher secondary), with 47 million children aged 6-17 out of school [8].
  2. Equity Gaps: Girls outperform boys (GPI >1), but ST (48.7% higher secondary GER) and Muslims (11.9% enrollment share) lag. Only 57.2% of schools have computers, impacting rural areas [8].
  3. Systemic Issues: Economic pressures, weak foundational skills, and poor transition support drive dropouts. Post-COVID declines reversed earlier gains [7, 12].
  4. Data Shifts: Aadhaar-linked deduplication improved accuracy but complicates historical comparisons [8].

Prospects for Achieving Universal Education by 2030

UDISE+ 2023-24 suggests achieving universal education by 2030 is unlikely without transformative action. Secondary GER requires a 4-5% annual increase to reach 100%, but the 8.12% enrollment decline (2021-24) signals regression. Retention at 45.6% to Class 12 and 47 million out-of-school children highlight systemic gaps. A projected 4% annual decline could reduce enrollment below 200 million by 2030 [7, 12].

Concluding Observations: A Distant Goal Requiring Urgent Reforms

India’s quest for universal school education, spanning over seven decades, reflects ambition and partial successes but persistent challenges. From the unmet 1960 constitutional deadline to NEP 2020’s 2030 target, milestones include enrollment growth from 97 million (1950-51) to 248 million (2023-24), near-universal primary GER, and gender parity (GPI ≥ 1.02) [1, 7]. However, UDISE+ 2023-24 reveals an 8.12% enrollment decline (20.8 million students) since 2021-22, primarily in government schools, reversing pre-COVID gains [7, 12]. Secondary (77.4%) and higher secondary (56.2%) GERs fall short of universal targets, with 47 million children out of school [8]. Dropout rates (14.1% secondary) and low retention (45.6% to Class 12) reflect systemic failures, exacerbated by post-COVID economic and learning losses [8, 12]. Equity gaps persist, with ST (48.7% higher secondary GER) and Muslims (11.9% enrollment share) underrepresented. Regional disparities – Kerala’s 98.5% vs. Bihar’s 81.2% primary GER- and infrastructure deficits (57.7% schools with computers) complicate progress [8, 11].

The data reveals primary-level gains, secondary stagnation, and a recent enrollment drop, with GPI improvements masking absolute enrollment gaps. Achieving universal education by 2030 requires:

  • Retention and Transitions: Scholarships, vocational training, and remedial programs to reduce dropouts (5.4 million in 2022-23 to 2023-24) and improve transitions (71.5% secondary to higher secondary) [8].
  • Equity and Inclusion: Targeted policies for SC/ST, Muslims, and rural areas, addressing infrastructure gaps (e.g., 53.9% schools with internet) [8].
  • Funding: Increase education spending beyond 4.6% of GDP to the recommended 6% [1].
  • Data-Driven Strategies: Use UDISE+ for real-time monitoring in high-dropout states like Bihar [11].
  • Post-COVID Recovery: Leverage recovery funds and stricter RTE enforcement [12].

Without reversing enrollment declines and addressing inequities, the 2030 goal risks becoming another missed deadline. India must build on its educational legacy to avoid excluding millions from universal education [7].

Suggested Readings

  1. Education for All in India. (2025). From Sargent Commission (1944) to NEP 2020.
  2. Ministry of Education, Government of India. (1966). Report of the Education Commission 1964-66 (Kothari Commission).
  3. Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. (1992). National Policy on Education 1986 (Revised 1992).
  4. Government of India. (2009). The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
  5. Ministry of Education, Government of India. (2018). Samagra Shiksha: An Integrated Scheme for School Education.
  6. Ministry of Education, Government of India. (2020). National Education Policy 2020.
  7. Education for All in India. (2023). EFA History, Status & Challenges, India 2023.
  8. UDISE+ Dashboard. (2023-24). Unified District Information System for Education Plus.
  9. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India. (Various Years). Educational Statistics at a Glance.
  10. Education for All in India. (2025). School Education in India: Where Do We Stand? Analysis based on UDISEPlus 2023-24.
  11. Education for All in India. (2023). UDISE+ 2023-24: Key Indicators and Trends.
  12. Times of India. (2025). UDISE+ 2023-24 Report: Enrollment Declines in Indian Schools.
  13. Education for All in India. (2024). Retention and Transition Rates in Indian School Education.
  14. Sanskriti IAS. (2024). UDISE+ 2023-24: Analysis of School Education in India.

Education for All in India