The central government's Ministry of Education has released a highly positive and significant report regarding the country's school education system. According to the latest official digital registry, 'UDISE+ 2025-26,' there has been a substantial and steady decrease in the number of students dropping out of schools across various levels in India.
Improvement in Dropout Rates
Furthermore, for the first time in the country's history, the total number of teachers in schools nationwide has exceeded the mark of 10.2 crore. The Ministry of Education's report indicates that in the 2025-26 academic year, there is a noticeable reduction in the dropout percentage compared to the previous three years (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25).
Dynamics by Education Level
At the foundational level, the percentage of children leaving school has decreased from 2.3% in 2024-25 to 1.8%. The most significant improvements have been noted at the middle level, where the dropout rate fell from 8.2% to 7.0%. The report emphasizes that this decline suggests that schools are becoming more accessible, beneficial, and sensitive to children's needs, allowing students to complete their education after enrollment.
Student retention rates have also improved: among middle-level children, this rate increased from 82.8% to 83.7%, and at the upper primary level, there was a big jump, rising from 47.2% last year to 51.9% this year. The government attributes this improvement to the increase in the number of middle-level schools, which has eased access to education. Nevertheless, a slight decrease was recorded at the foundational and preparatory levels.
Historic Growth in Educators
Reaching a new milestone in the history of Indian education, the total number of school teachers in the country has surpassed 10.2 crore. According to the report, over the period from 2022-23, there has been a significant increase of 8.3% in the number of teachers. This step is viewed as a game-changer in improving the student-teacher ratio and enhancing the quality of education. Concurrently, the overall gross enrollment ratio (GER) at the middle level improved from 68.5% in 2024-25 to 71.7% in 2025-26.
What is the UDISE+ Report?
UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) is the official digital database of the Government of India. It is managed by the Ministry of Education and collects real-time data on school infrastructure, student enrollment, and teachers across the country. This recent report is based on online data voluntarily uploaded by schools as of March 31, 2026.