India Records 65.7 Lakh School Dropouts in Five Years, Gujarat Sees Sharp Rise

New Delhi, April 30, 2026: A recent disclosure in Parliament has revealed that 65.7 lakh children have dropped out of school across India over the past five years. Of these, nearly half—29.8 lakh—are adolescent girls, highlighting a significant concern within the education system. 

The data was shared by Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur in response to a parliamentary question. The figures point to the scale of children moving out of formal education and underline variations across states. 

According to the state-wise data, Gujarat reported the highest number of out-of-school children in 2025–26. The state identified 2.4 lakh students who were no longer attending school, including 1.1 lakh adolescent girls. 

The data also shows a significant rise in Gujarat’s dropout numbers compared to the previous year. In 2024, the state recorded 54,541 out-of-school children, which increased to 2.4 lakh in 2025, marking a rise of over 340 per cent. The number of out-of-school girls also increased from a negligible figure in 2024 to 1.1 lakh in 2025.

 

Other states also reported notable numbers. Assam recorded 1,50,906 out-of-school children, including 57,409 girls, while Uttar Pradesh reported 99,218 children out of school, of whom 56,462 were girls. 

The Union government cited several factors contributing to school dropouts, particularly among adolescent girls. These include migration, socio-economic challenges, domestic responsibilities, child labour, and other structural issues. 

To address the issue, the government has highlighted measures under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. These include strengthening schools up to the senior secondary level, constructing additional classrooms, expanding Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, providing free textbooks and uniforms, and offering transport allowances. Special enrolment and retention drives, along with financial assistance for out-of-school children aged 16–19, are also part of the efforts. 

The Centre has also encouraged states and Union Territories to implement the “Bringing Children Back to School” campaign with the support of local communities and school management bodies. 

The figures have drawn attention to the continuing challenge of ensuring that children remain in school, especially at the secondary level, and highlight the need for sustained efforts to improve access and retention across the country.

News Credit: India Today