Comprehensive Modular Survey 2025: India has achieved a major milestone in the field of education. The school dropout rate has declined significantly over the past two years. According to the “Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education, 2025,” released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI), the dropout rate has almost halved. This is considered one of the biggest achievements in the education sector in recent years.
Statistics of Declining Dropout Rates
According to the report, the dropout rate has declined the most at the middle and higher education levels. While the dropout rate at the secondary level was 13.8% in 2022-23, it will fall to 8.2% in 2024-25. At the middle level, the rate will fall from 8.1% to 3.5%. At the preparatory level, this figure dropped from 8.7% to 2.3%. These figures clearly demonstrate that the impact of government schemes and reforms has reached the grassroots level and increased children’s interest in education.
Role of Reforms and Schemes
Several schemes and reforms played a key role in reducing the dropout rate. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme provided nutritious meals to students and encouraged them to attend school regularly. Financial assistance to students from economically weaker sections increased their interest in continuing their education. Furthermore, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan) improved school facilities, making learning easier for children. The New Education Policy (NEP) introduced flexibility in education, providing equal opportunities to all students. Together, these efforts strengthened the education system.
State Achievements and Challenges
Many states have achieved significant success in this area. Uttar Pradesh achieved zero dropout rates at the preparatory level, joining states like Delhi and Maharashtra. Jharkhand achieved zero dropout rates at the secondary level in 2024-25. However, West Bengal recorded the highest dropout rate at the secondary level at 20.3%. Despite these successes, challenges lie ahead. Rising household expenditure on education remains a major problem. In rural areas, the average annual expenditure on students in government schools is ₹2,639, while in private schools it reaches ₹19,554. In urban areas, this expenditure rises to ₹4,128 in government schools and ₹31,782 in private schools. This disparity will continue to challenge the balance in the education system.
