State-Wise Distribution of Government Schools in India (2025)

The government schools in India are essential in delivering education to millions of students throughout its 28 states and 8 union territories.

With a total of 614,349 government schools, their distribution illustrates the country’s varied population, geography, and educational priorities.

This article analyzes the data, emphasizing key facts and insights in a clear and concise manner.

State-wise data for Government Schools

Rank	Region	Number of Government Schools
1	Uttar Pradesh	1,34,249
2	Madhya Pradesh	87,387
3	Bihar	75,509
4	West Bengal	69,504
5	Rajasthan	67,922
6	Maharashtra	65,917
7	Odisha	51,806
8	Karnataka	46,680
9	Andhra Pradesh	44,586
10	Assam	43,792
11	Jharkhand	40,402
12	Chhattisgarh	37,439
13	Tamil Nadu	37,555
14	Gujarat	33,501
15	Telangana	28,730
16	Jammu and Kashmir	22,934
17	Punjab	19,761
18	Uttarakhand	16,582
19	Himachal Pradesh	15,448
20	Haryana	14,779
21	Kerala	12,627
22	Meghalaya	7,200
23	Tripura	4,707
24	Manipur	2,979
25	Arunachal Pradesh	2,864
26	Nagaland	1,957
27	Mizoram	1,940
28	Delhi	1,724
29	Goa	832
30	Sikkim	781
31	Puducherry	429
32	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	336
33	DNHDD	260
34	Chandigarh	113
35	Ladakh	943
36	Lakshadweep	40

Overview of Government Schools

Government schools play a crucial role in providing accessible education, especially in rural and economically disadvantaged regions. The quantity of schools varies greatly across different areas, with Uttar Pradesh having 134,249 schools, while Lakshadweep has only 40. This disparity underscores the differences in population density, infrastructure, and regional requirements.

Leading States

The states with the most government schools include:

• Uttar Pradesh: 134,249 schools, the highest in India, driven by its large population and extensive rural landscape.
• Madhya Pradesh: 87,387 schools, indicative of its commitment to education across its vast rural territories.
• Bihar: 75,509 schools, a notable figure for a state striving to enhance educational accessibility.
• West Bengal: 69,504 schools, catering to a densely populated area.
• Rajasthan: 67,922 schools, facilitating education in both urban and rural settings.

These five states represent a significant portion of India’s government schools, highlighting the correlation between population size and the necessity for educational infrastructure.

Smaller Regions

Union territories and smaller states have a reduced number of schools, reflecting their size and population:

• Lakshadweep: 40 schools, the fewest, serving a small island community.
• Chandigarh: 113 schools, accommodating a compact urban population.
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNHDD): 260 schools, supporting a small region.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 336 schools, meeting the needs of remote islands.
• Puducherry: 429 schools, serving a small coastal area.

These smaller regions illustrate a dedication to education despite their limited scale.

Key Observations

The data highlights several significant trends:

• Bihar’s Efforts: With 75,509 schools, Bihar demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding educational access, despite facing challenges such as poverty and rural dispersion.
• Kerala’s Efficiency: Although Kerala has 12,627 schools, it achieves high literacy rates, reflecting a focus on quality education and effective management practices.
• Ladakh’s Reach: The presence of 943 schools in Ladakh is commendable, considering its sparse population and difficult terrain, ensuring educational access in remote regions.

Urban vs. Rural Divide: Urban centers like Delhi (1,724 schools) and Chandigarh (113) have fewer schools compared to rural states such as Chhattisgarh (37,439) and Jharkhand (40,402). This indicates that urban areas tend to rely more on private educational institutions, while rural regions are more dependent on government schools.

Why It Matters

Government schools play a vital role in providing education to millions, particularly for families unable to afford private schooling options.

The data illustrates India’s dedication to education while also revealing challenges such as teacher shortages and infrastructure deficiencies in larger states.

Conversely, smaller regions exhibit resilience in catering to remote or less populated areas.

Conclusion

The distribution of government schools across India, from Uttar Pradesh’s 134,249 to Lakshadweep’s 40, illustrates the country’s varied educational landscape.

Each school signifies an opportunity for students to learn and develop, contributing to India’s advancement.

This data emphasizes the necessity for ongoing investment in education to guarantee that every child has access to quality schooling.

Source

• List of Schools in India
• Report on unified district information system for education plus (udise+)