India school enrolment shifts toward private institutions

The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) 2025–26 report reveals significant shifts in India’s educational landscape. Data shows that four in ten schoolchildren are now enrolled in private unaided schools, an increase from 35.4 percent in 2018–19. While government school enrolment has declined to approximately 48 percent, private school enrolment has risen to 98.9 million students.

Key metrics from the report indicate an overall pupil-teacher ratio of 24:1, meeting the National Education Policy 2020 benchmark. The report also highlights improved infrastructure, with 95 percent of schools having electricity and 99.5 percent providing safe drinking water. Digital access is expanding, with 69.9 percent of schools having computer access and 67.4 percent having internet connectivity.

Despite these improvements, disparities remain. Private school enrolment is particularly high at the pre-primary level, where 71 percent of students are enrolled in private institutions. Additionally, the cost of education varies significantly, with average annual expenditure per student in private schools reaching Rs 28,693, compared to Rs 2,863 in government schools.