Rajasthan’s government schools saw a net loss of 9.3 lakh students between 2023-24 and 2025-26, while private schools held steady, according to the UDISE 2025-26 report released in July 2026.
More than 800,000 students dropped out of government-run schools in Rajasthan between 2023-24 and 2025-26, according to the latest UDISE data. The decline represents the bulk of the state’s overall enrollment loss.
The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) report for the 2025-26 academic year shows that Rajasthan’s government schools recorded a net loss of 9.3 lakh students over the previous two years, while private schools maintained relatively stable enrolments [1]. The data, released in July 2026, covers the period from the 2023-24 to the 2025-26 school years and applies to all government-run primary and secondary institutions across the state [2].
Education analysts, cited by PTI and other news agencies, attribute the drop to a combination of demographic shifts and challenges in retaining students within the public system [1]. The Ministry of Education has not issued a formal response, but the figures have prompted discussions among state officials, school administrators, and policy experts [2].
Scale of the Enrollment Decline
UDISE figures indicate that Rajasthan’s total school-age population fell by approximately 8.1 lakh students between the 2023-24 and 2025-26 academic years, with government schools accounting for 9.3 lakh of the loss [1]. Private schools collectively lost fewer than 2 lakh students, a disparity that highlights the concentration of the decline in the public sector [4]. The report breaks down the loss by district, showing the highest reductions in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner, where enrolments fell by more than 1 lakh each [2].
The UDISE data also reveals that the average pupil-teacher ratio in government schools deteriorated from 31:1 to 34:1 during the same period, reflecting the impact of reduced student numbers on staffing allocations [3]. Despite the loss, the total number of government schools remained stable at 12,874, suggesting that the decline is not due to school closures but rather to lower attendance and enrolment [1].
Private schools collectively lost fewer than 2 lakh students, a disparity that highlights the concentration of the decline in the public sector [4].
Demographic analysis cited by education experts points to a slowing birth rate in Rajasthan, which reduced the pool of school-age children entering the system [1][3]. The state’s fertility rate fell from 2.5 children per woman in 2020 to 2.2 in 2024, a trend that aligns with national patterns and contributes to fewer new entrants [2].
In addition to demographic changes, experts identify “retention challenges” in government schools as a significant factor. Reports of inadequate infrastructure, perceived lower quality of instruction, and competition from private institutions have led families to shift their children out of the public system [1][4]. Surveys conducted by the Rajasthan Education Research Council in early 2026 indicated that 42% of parents cited “learning environment” as the primary reason for transferring to private schools [3].
For students currently enrolled in government schools, the enrollment decline may result in reduced peer interaction and potential reallocation of resources, as funding formulas in Rajasthan are partly enrollment-based [2]. Schools that lost large numbers of pupils have reported budget cuts affecting extracurricular programs and remedial support services [4].
Educators in the public sector face uncertainty regarding staffing levels. While the pupil-teacher ratio has risen, many teachers remain on the payroll, creating a mismatch between personnel costs and student numbers [3]. The state’s teacher recruitment drive, launched in 2025, is now being reassessed to align with the revised enrolment projections [1].
Policymakers are evaluating interventions to stabilize enrolment, including the introduction of midday meal expansions, scholarship schemes for disadvantaged students, and infrastructure upgrades in high-dropout districts [2]. The Ministry of Education is expected to release a detailed action plan before the end of the fiscal year, according to officials briefed on the issue [4].
Key Facts
While the pupil-teacher ratio has risen, many teachers remain on the payroll, creating a mismatch between personnel costs and student numbers [3].
What: Rajasthan’s government schools lost over 8 lakh students in two academic years.
When: Data covers the 2023-24 to 2025-26 school years, released July 2026.
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