Shifting Trends: Decline in Government School Enrollment Amid Rise in Private Education

A recent report from the Ministry of Education reveals a concerning trend in school enrollment, with millions of children leaving government schools for private institutions. The data shows a significant decline in government school enrollments, particularly in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, while private schools have seen a notable increase. This shift raises questions about the future of public education in India. The report also highlights changes in the number of schools, indicating a broader transformation in the educational landscape. Discover the details of this trend and its implications for students and families.

By Ambika Singh Jul 10, 2026, 14:29 IST

Overview of Enrollment Trends

Recent data indicates a significant trend where millions of children are leaving government schools, while private school enrollments are on the rise. This shift marks a notable change in educational preferences among families.

Insights from the Ministry of Education's Report

The Ministry of Education's latest findings, derived from the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), highlight a concerning trend. This digital platform compiles essential data regarding student enrollments, teacher statistics, and school infrastructure across the nation. In the academic year 2025-26, the total enrollment across all school levels reached 24.72 crore, a slight decrease from 24.80 crore in 2023-24. While overall enrollment remained relatively stable, a significant shift was noted between government and private institutions.

Decline in Government School Enrollment

The report reveals a stark decline of 86 lakh students in government schools. Enrollment dropped from 12.75 crore in 2023-24 to 11.89 crore by 2025-26. In contrast, private school enrollments surged from 9 crore to 9.89 crore, indicating an increase of nearly 88 lakh students opting for private education.

States with Notable Declines in Government School Enrollment

1. **Bihar**: Despite having the highest number of government school students, admissions fell from 1.71 crore to 1.66 crore.

2. **Uttar Pradesh**: The student count decreased from 1.48 crore to 1.41 crore, a drop of 7.07 lakh.

3. **Madhya Pradesh**: Enrollment fell from 81.28 lakh to 79.70 lakh.

4. **Rajasthan**: A decline from 77.82 lakh to 74.49 lakh was recorded.

5. **Maharashtra**: The number of students dropped from 51.08 lakh to approximately 49.79 lakh.

6. **West Bengal**: In contrast, this state saw an increase in government school admissions, rising from 1.49 crore to 1.54 crore, with about 4.61 lakh new enrollments.

Changes in the Number of Schools

The total number of government schools across the country decreased to 1,005,245 in 2025-26, down from 1,013,322 in 2023-24. Meanwhile, private schools saw an increase, growing from approximately 3.39 lakh to over 3.40 lakh during the same period. Notably, private school numbers rose in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan, while Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal experienced slight declines.