India witnesses nearly 65.7 lakh school dropouts in five years: Report

India recorded 65.7 lakh school dropouts in the last five years, with adolescent girls making up 29.8 lakh of that number.

The figures were shared in Parliament by Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur while responding to a question from Congress MP Renkua Chaudhary.

State-wise data shows sharp disparities. Gujarat reported 2.4 lakh out-of-school children for 2025 to 26, including 1.1 lakh adolescent girls.

The spike has drawn attention because the state had logged only 54,541 out-of-school children in 2024, marking an increase of more than 340%. The number of out-of-school girls rose from just one in 2024 to 1.1 lakh in 2025.

Assam listed 1,50,906 students out of school, of whom 57,409 were girls. Uttar Pradesh recorded 99,218 dropouts, including 56,462 girls.

The state’s recent move to merge schools with fewer than 50 students is now being reviewed in light of the rising dropout count.

The Centre said several factors continue to push girls out of school, including migration, poverty, household duties, child labor and social pressures.

Officials noted that these challenges often prevent girls from completing their education.

To address this, the government pointed to initiatives under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

Efforts include opening more schools up to senior secondary level, adding classrooms, expanding Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and offering free uniforms, textbooks and transportation support.

States are also conducting special drives to identify and re-enroll students who have left school. Eligible children continue to receive reimbursements under the Right to Education Act.

The Centre has additionally launched the “Bringing Children Back to School” campaign, urging states, School Management Committees and local bodies to coordinate efforts.

Parliament was informed that ₹56,694.70 crore was spent under Samagra Shiksha in 2024 to 25, with the Centre contributing ₹34,45,820 crore.

Officials said ensuring continued access to education, especially for girls, remains a key priority.