UDISE+ 2024–25: GER Climbs to 90.3 Percent at Middle, 68.5 at Secondary; Teachers Cross 1 Crore Mark

The UDISE+ 2024–25 report shows India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio at school level rising to 90.3% at the Middle level and 68.5% at the Secondary level. Teacher strength has crossed 1 crore, dropout rates fall, and digital infrastructure improves, marking progress towards NEP 2020 goals.

Latest Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024–25 report by the Ministry of Education shows that the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has improved to 90.3% at the Middle level and 68.5% at the Secondary level, reflecting increased access and retention in schools. Alongside, the country’s teaching workforce has also crossed one crore for the first time, supported by imporvements in infrastructure, digital access, and gender representation.

Key GER Gains

The rise in enrolment numbers underlines a greater push towards inclusion and progression at critical transition points in school education.

As per the Education Ministry, these improvements highlight the impact of targeted policies under NEP 2020, especially at the secondary stage where dropouts have historically been high.

Dropouts Decline Sharply

Dropout rates fell across all stages in 2024–25, with the most notable decline at the Secondary level.

Ministry officials note that financial support schemes, mid-day meals, and expanded residential facilities have contributed to reducing early dropouts.

Retention and Transition Improve

Retention rates—reflecting the percentage of students completing a stage—show marked improvement.

Meanwhile, transition rates also rose:

• Foundational → Preparatory: 98.6%
• Preparatory → Middle: 92.2%
• Middle → Secondary: 86.6%

Teacher Strength Crosses 1 Crore

The UDISE+ report by the Education Ministry records a milestone with over 1 crore teachers across the country, up 6.7% from the previous cycle. Pupil–Teacher Ratios (PTR) are now well within NEP norms:

• Foundational: 10:1
• Preparatory: 13:1
• Middle: 17:1
• Secondary: 21:1

Women teachers now make up 54.2% of the workforce, indicating a steady move towards gender balance in schools.

Digital & Physical Infrastructure

The report also captures progress in facilities:

• Electricity access: 93.6% of schools
• Drinking water: 99.3%
• Girls’ toilets: 97.3%
• Boys’ toilets: 96.2%
• Computers: 64.7% (up from 57.2%)
• Internet connectivity: 63.5% (up from 53.9%)
• Handwashing facilities: 95.9%
• Ramps/handrails for accessibility: 54.9%

The report states that while digital access has grown rapidly, the report cautions that rural and tribal schools remain under-connected.

Regional Highlights

• Uttar Pradesh: Achieved zero dropout rate in Classes 3–5.
• Kerala: Secondary GER stands at 98.1%, among the highest in India.
• Assam: Dropout rates reduced, though digital access lags behind.
• Delhi: Strong primary enrolment but dropout at secondary remains 7.5%.

Enrolment Trends

Despite the overall progress, total enrolment dipped slightly due to demographic changes:

• 2023–24: 24.8 crore
• 2024–25: 24.69 crore

Girls’ enrolment rose marginally, while boys’ enrolment declined, reflecting broader demographic patterns.

With rising GER, falling dropouts, and better teacher–student ratios as per the UDISE+ 2024–25 report, the system is moving closer to the NEP 2020 goal of universal school education by 2030, though digital divides and retention at higher levels remain key challenges.