Enrollment in Indian government schools fell sharply over the past five years, while private unaided schools recorded growth, according to Ministry of Education data.
Enrollment in government-run schools across India declined markedly between the 2019-20 and 2024-25 academic years, with the total number of operational government schools falling by 18,727 units during that period [1]. The same interval saw an increase in the count of private unaided schools, reflecting a parallel rise in private-sector enrollment [1]. The data were released by the Ministry of Education through the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) and were highlighted in a parliamentary briefing in February 2026 [1].
The Ministry of Education, the NITI Aayog think-tank, and state education departments are the primary agencies reporting the trend [2]. The decline was identified through annual school-level reporting submitted by each district, compiled by UDISE and cross-checked with the Ministry’s annual statistical handbook [1].
Private unaided schools reported net additions of approximately 12,000 institutions over the same five-year span, according to the same datasets [1].
Enrollment Trends and School Count Changes
Government school enrollment share fell from 71% of total school-age children in 2005 to 49.24% in the 2024-25 academic year [3]. The absolute number of students enrolled in government schools dropped by roughly 24 million between 2019-20 and 2024-25, while private unaided schools added about 9 million new enrollments in the same period [2]. The reduction in government schools was most pronounced in states with higher rural populations, where school closures were recorded in districts such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh [4].
The growth was driven by new school openings in both urban and peri-urban areas, with private operators expanding facilities to meet perceived demand for alternative education models [1].
The UDISE data also show a rise in the proportion of students attending private unaided schools, increasing from 18% in 2019-20 to 28% in 2024-25 [2]. The growth was driven by new school openings in both urban and peri-urban areas, with private operators expanding facilities to meet perceived demand for alternative education models [1].
The overall number of schools in the country rose modestly, from 1.58 million in 2019-20 to 1.60 million in 2024-25, reflecting the net addition of private institutions offset by government school closures [1].
Factors Behind the Shift
Government School Enrolment Drops While Private Institutions Expand Across India
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The NITI Aayog report attributes the decline to a combination of infrastructure deficits, teacher vacancy rates, and perceived quality gaps in government schools [2]. Survey data collected by the Ministry indicated that 42% of parents cited “quality of instruction” as a primary reason for transferring children to private schools [2]. Additionally, the report highlights that many government schools faced challenges in maintaining basic facilities such as drinking water and functional toilets, influencing enrollment decisions [3].
Policy reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aimed to improve public school outcomes, but implementation delays have been documented in several states [3]. The NITI Aayog analysis notes that while the NEP introduced measures for teacher training and digital infrastructure, the rollout has been uneven, contributing to continued parental preference for private options [2]. Funding allocations for government schools remained relatively static at 1.5% of total education expenditure, according to the Ministry’s budget statements for FY 2024-25 [4].
Impact on Students and Policy
The reduction in government school availability directly affects students from lower-income households, who rely on public education for free access [2]. Enrollment loss in government schools has been linked to increased dropout rates, particularly after grade 8, where the NITI Aayog recorded a rise in out-of-school children from 4.5% to 5.2% between 2019-20 and 2024-25 [2]. The shift toward private schooling may widen socioeconomic disparities, as private tuition fees average ₹12,000 per annum, a cost many families cannot absorb [4].
The trend also poses challenges for the NEP 2020’s goal of universal, equitable education. Policymakers are evaluating measures such as increased funding for infrastructure upgrades, recruitment drives to fill teacher vacancies, and incentive schemes for low-income families to remain in government schools [3]. State education ministries have begun pilot programs in select districts to provide supplementary learning resources and community outreach, aiming to stabilize enrollment in the public sector [4].
Key Facts
Impact on Students and Policy The reduction in government school availability directly affects students from lower-income households, who rely on public education for free access [2].
What: Government school enrollment fell while private unaided schools grew across India.
When: Decline observed from 2019-20 to 2024-25, data released February 2026.
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