India's government schools show mixed progress amid falling enrolment

A nationwide review of government schools highlights a paradox: infrastructure indicators such as internet connectivity, computer availability and teacher numbers have improved, yet student enrolment in public schools has slipped sharply. The Unified District Information System for Education Plus records a net loss of about 99,500 schools since 2015-16, though many closures stem from mergers or reclassification. Teacher counts rose from 96.96 lakh in 2020-21 to 102.73 lakh in 2025-26, and single-teacher schools declined markedly.

Field reports from several states describe crumbling buildings, shared classrooms and inadequate sanitation, underscoring gaps between reported data and on-ground reality. The Ministry points to falling fertility rates, school consolidation and challenges in retaining students beyond primary levels as drivers of the enrolment decline, while promoting schemes like Samagra Shiksha and digital initiatives. Nonetheless, private school enrolment continued to grow, reflecting parental preference for perceived higher quality education.