Enrollment in Rajasthan’s government schools fell by more than 9.3 lakh students between 2023-24 and 2025-26, while private-school numbers remained stable. The decline represents the majority of a statewide drop from 1.67 crore to 1.59 crore total students.
The state’s total school enrollment decreased from 1.67 crore in the 2023-24 academic year to 1.59 crore in 2025-26, according to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) data released for 2025-26 [1]. The loss was concentrated in government schools, which recorded a net reduction of 9.3 lakh students over the two-year period [1].
Private schools reported only marginal changes, maintaining enrollment levels close to previous years [1].
The Government of Rajasthan, education experts, school administrators, students, and families are the principal parties referenced in the reports [1].
The enrollment figures were derived from the UDISE+ database, which aggregates school-level data across the state. Analysts examined the dataset and identified the sharp decline in government-school enrollment, attributing it to demographic shifts and retention challenges, although specific causal factors were not detailed in the released data [1].
Enrollment Trends Revealed by UDISE+ 2025-26
UDISE+ data for the 2025-26 academic year shows a net loss of 8.8 lakh students from the state’s total school population, with government schools accounting for 9.3 lakh of that decline [1]. The data indicates that private schools collectively added a small number of students, offsetting only a fraction of the loss experienced by the public sector [1].
Enrollment Trends Revealed by UDISE+ 2025-26 UDISE+ data for the 2025-26 academic year shows a net loss of 8.8 lakh students from the state’s total school population, with government schools accounting for 9.3 lakh of that decline [1].
The decline corresponds to a 4.8 percent reduction in total enrollment across Rajasthan, calculated from the drop from 1.67 crore to 1.59 crore students [1]. Government schools, which previously enrolled the majority of the state’s pupils, now show a lower share of the overall student body, reflecting the shift toward private institutions for a portion of the student population [1].
The UDISE+ report also notes that the enrollment decrease was observed across most districts, without a single district accounting for an outsized share of the loss [1].
Education experts cited in the reports highlighted that the enrollment drop may be linked to changing demographics, including lower birth rates and migration patterns that affect school-age populations [1]. Experts also pointed to challenges in retaining students within government schools, such as perceptions of quality, infrastructure gaps, and competition from private institutions [1].
The Rajasthan government has not released a formal statement outlining policy responses to the enrollment decline as of the date of the report. However, the data release itself underscores the administration’s monitoring of school-level statistics through UDISE+, a system used for planning and resource allocation [1].
School administrators in affected districts reported adjusting staffing and resource planning in response to lower student numbers, though specific measures were not detailed in the public reports [1]. Private-school operators noted stable enrollment, indicating continued demand for alternative education options among families [1].
School administrators in affected districts reported adjusting staffing and resource planning in response to lower student numbers, though specific measures were not detailed in the public reports [1].
Immediate Impact on Students and Schools
The reduction of 9.3 lakh students from government schools translates into fewer classroom seats, potentially leading to reallocation of teachers, reduced class sizes, or consolidation of schools in some areas [1]. Funding formulas tied to enrollment figures may also be affected, influencing the financial resources available to public schools for infrastructure, teaching aids, and staff salaries [1].
Students who transition from government to private schools may experience changes in tuition costs, curriculum exposure, and school environment. Conversely, families remaining in the public system may encounter altered peer group dynamics and resource availability due to the lower enrollment base [1].
Policymakers and education planners are likely to use the enrollment data to assess the adequacy of current public-school capacity, evaluate the need for targeted interventions, and consider strategies to improve retention, although specific policy initiatives were not announced in the reports [1].
Key Facts
What: Rajasthan’s government schools lost over 9.3 lakh students between 2023-24 and 2025-26, driving a state-wide enrollment decline of 8.8 lakh.
What: Rajasthan’s government schools lost over 9.3 lakh students between 2023-24 and 2025-26, driving a state-wide enrollment decline of 8.8 lakh.
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