A UDISE+ report for 2025-26 released by India’s Ministry of Education says school dropout rates are falling and student retention is improving across levels. Dropout rates at the preparatory level are reported at 1.8%, while secondary-level dropouts are 7%, both lower than earlier figures cited in the reporting. The report also shows stronger learner progression and improved retention at middle and secondary stages, while retention is described as marginally weaker at foundational and preparatory stages.
The report further indicates that overall access to resources in schools is increasing, including more schools getting access to computers and internet. Teacher strength is also rising: the number of teachers surpasses 1.02 crore nationwide for the first time, up by 8.3% compared with 2022-23 according to one account. On gender indicators, female participation in the teaching workforce is reported at about 54.9%, with another source stating that women account for 55% of teachers. Girl student enrolment shows a marginal rise, alongside improvements in retention.
Overall, the UDISE+ findings point to continued progress in enrolment, reduced dropout, and expanded education infrastructure.
