In Gujarat, the number of out-of-school children rose sharply from 54,541 in 2024 to 240,000 in 2025, marking an increase of more than 340 percent within a year. The data further reveals a concerning escalation in the number of out-of-school girls, which surged from a negligible figure in 2024 to 110,000 in 2025.
Other states have also reported significant numbers of children outside the formal education system. Assam recorded 150,906 out-of-school children, including 57,409 girls. Uttar Pradesh reported 99,218 children out of school, of whom 56,462 were girls, underscoring a widespread issue across multiple regions.
The Union Government has attributed the rising dropout rates, particularly among adolescent girls, to multiple interlinked factors. These include migration, socio-economic hardships, domestic responsibilities, child labour, and broader structural challenges that continue to impact access to education.
To address the crisis, the government has outlined several measures under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. These initiatives focus on strengthening school infrastructure up to the senior secondary level, constructing additional classrooms, and expanding Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. The programme also includes provisions for free textbooks and uniforms, transport allowances, and targeted enrolment and retention drives. In addition, financial assistance is being provided for out-of-school children aged 16 to 19 years to encourage re-entry into the education system.
The Centre has also urged States and Union Territories to actively implement the “Bringing Children Back to School” campaign in collaboration with local communities and school management committees, aiming to improve outreach and ensure higher retention rates.
The sharp increase in dropout figures highlights a deepening educational challenge in the country, underscoring the urgent need for sustained policy focus and ground-level implementation to safeguard the right to education for every child.
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