Key Details
The UDISE+ 2025–26 report presents the latest national snapshot of India’s school education system, showing improvements in teacher availability, student participation, infrastructure and education governance.
Area | UDISE+ 2025–26 Findings | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
School system | 14.67 lakh schools, 24.72 crore students and 1.03 crore teachers | Maintains India’s integrated national school education database. |
Teacher availability | Teacher workforce increased by 8.3% since 2022–23 | Improves classroom capacity and teacher deployment. |
Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR) | 10 (Foundational), 12 (Preparatory), 17 (Middle), 21 (Secondary) | All stages remain comfortably below the NEP benchmark of 30:1. |
Student participation | Secondary GER increased to 71.7%; secondary retention reached 51.9% | Indicates stronger progression into higher grades. |
Dropout rates | Preparatory dropout declined to 1.8%; Secondary dropout to 7.0% | Reflects continued improvements in student retention. |
Digital infrastructure | Computer access reached 69.9% of schools; internet connectivity 67.4% | Expands readiness for technology-enabled learning. |
Teacher Strength, Student Retention and School Access Continue to Improve
India’s school education system recorded broad-based improvements across teacher availability, student retention, secondary enrolment and digital infrastructure during 2025–26, according to the latest UDISE+ report released by the Ministry of Education. The report shows that the country now has over 1.03 crore teachers, 24.72 crore studentsand 14.67 lakh schools, making UDISE+ one of the world’s largest integrated school education databases.
The teaching workforce expanded by 8.3% compared with 2022–23, contributing to improved Pupil–Teacher Ratios (PTRs) across every stage of schooling. PTR now stands at 10 at the Foundational stage, 12 at Preparatory, 17 at Middle and 21 at Secondary, well below the 30:1 benchmark recommended under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Alongside improvements in teacher availability, the report records continued gains in student participation. Secondary Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) increased from 68.5% to 71.7%, while the secondary retention rate improved from 47.2% to 51.9%. At the same time, dropout rates declined across key stages, with the Preparatory stage falling from 2.3% to 1.8% and the Secondary stage from 8.2% to 7.0%, indicating stronger continuity through the school system.
Digital Infrastructure and Student-Level Data Strengthen School Governance
The report also points to continued improvements in school infrastructure. Computer facilities are now available in 69.9% of schools, while 67.4% have internet connectivity, reflecting steady expansion of digital learning infrastructure. Access to basic amenities remains near universal, with 95.0% of schools electrified, 99.5% providing drinking water, 98.5% girls’ toilets, 97.2% boys’ toilets and 96.9% handwashing facilities. Accessibility infrastructure has also improved, with 58.2% of schools now equipped with ramps and handrails.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the report highlights the growing importance of student-level digital governance. UDISE+ now captures over 60 data fields for every student through a unique Educational ID (EID), while 22.3 crore students (90.2%) have voluntarily seeded Aadhaar details. This enables more accurate tracking of enrolment, attendance and progression, reduces duplication in beneficiary databases and strengthens implementation of schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, PM POSHAN and the National Scholarship Scheme.
Together, these developments reinforce UDISE+‘s evolution from a school census into a comprehensive education management information system capable of supporting evidence-based planning, resource allocation and monitoring across India’s school education sector.
What is UDISE+?
Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) is India’s national digital school education database. It captures detailed information on schools, teachers and individual students, enabling governments to monitor enrolment, attendance, infrastructure, learning progression and educational outcomes. Since introducing student-level records and unique Educational IDs (EIDs), UDISE+ has evolved beyond an annual school census into a core platform for education planning, policy monitoring and implementation of schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, PM POSHAN and the National Scholarship Scheme.
Policy Relevance
The report indicates continued progress towards NEP 2020 goals by improving teacher availability, reducing dropout rates and increasing participation at the secondary level.
Crossing one crore teachers represents a significant expansion of India’s education workforce, supporting better classroom conditions and more favourable pupil–teacher ratios across all stages of schooling.
The continued decline in dropout rates and improvement in retention suggest that investments in school access and transition support are translating into stronger educational continuity, particularly at the secondary stage.
Expansion of computers, internet connectivity and accessible infrastructure demonstrates continued strengthening of foundational school infrastructure, supporting digital learning and more inclusive education.
UDISE+ is increasingly becoming a governance platform rather than only a statistical database, with student-level records, Educational IDs and Aadhaar seeding improving beneficiary targeting, monitoring and evidence-based decision-making across major education programmes.
Follow the Full Report Here: UDISE+ 2025–26 Report