School dropout rate falls, rise in number of teachers

The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2025–26 report on school education in India,  has shown a sharp decline in dropout rates at both the preparatory and secondary levels compared to the previous year, as well as an increase in the number of teachers. The Union Ministry of Education on Tuesday released the report in New Delhi. The lower dropout rates indicate an improvement in student retention across schools, while more teachers have enhanced the Pupil to Teacher ratio (PTR) across levels. Data shows that in 2025-26 there has been a decline in dropout rates in both the secondary and primary levels. The dropout rate fell from 2.3% in the preparatory level in 2024-25 to 1.8% in 2025-26, while in the secondary level it fell from 8.2% (2024-25) to 7% (2025-26).
rising to 83.7 per cent and 51.9 per cent, respectively. The ministry attributed the improvement at the secondary level partly to the expansion of schools offering secondary education, making access easier for students. The report also recorded an increase in the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the secondary level, which rose from 68.5 per cent in 2024-25 to 71.7 per cent in 2025-26, indicating higher participation in school education.
The report said the number of teachers increased to 1,02,73,020 in 2025-26 from 94,83,294 in 2022-23, marking an 8.3 per cent rise over the period. The improved teacher availability helped bring down the pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) to 10 at the foundational level, 12 at the preparatory level, 17 at the middle level and 21 at the secondary level, all better than the National Education Policy’s recommended ratio of 30:1.
The report highlighted gains in digital infrastructure. Schools with computer access increased from 64.7 per cent in 2024-25 to 69.9 per cent in 2025-26, while those with internet connectivity rose from 63.5 per cent to 67.4 per cent.
Basic infrastructure also improved, with 95 per cent of schools now having electricity, 99.5 per cent access to drinking water, 98.5 per cent girls’ toilets, 97.2 per cent boys’ toilets and 96.9 per cent handwashing facilities. Libraries were available in 90.5 per cent of schools, while 58.2 per cent had ramps with handrails to improve accessibility for students with disabilities.
Women accounted for 54.9 per cent of the teaching workforce in 2025-26, up from 54.2 per cent a year earlier. Girls’ enrolment also edged up to 48.4 per cent, reflecting continued progress towards gender parity in school education, according to the report.