Education serves as India’s gateway to a more promising future; however, not every child remains in school.

The dropout statistics for India in 2025 indicate that some children exit the educational system prematurely, particularly in specific states.

The dropout rates fluctuate significantly from primary (Classes 1–5) to secondary (Classes 9–10) and higher secondary (Classes 11–12) across India’s 28 states and 8 Union Territories (UTs).

This article will explore the state-wise dropout rates in India for 2025, examine the reasons behind children’s departure from school, and discuss the implications for the nation.

The Overview of Dropout Rates

In 2025, while the school dropout rates in India are showing signs of improvement, they remain a significant issue.

Approximately 1.4% of children discontinue their primary education, 12% leave secondary school, and 6.7% drop out of higher secondary education, according to government statistics.

This indicates a reduction in early school departures compared to previous years, largely due to initiatives like Samagra Shiksha.

Nevertheless, certain states face greater challenges than others, with varying reasons contributing to the dropout rates in primary, secondary, and higher secondary education in India for 2025.

State-Wise Dropout Rate in Primary Schools (Classes 1–5) 2025

Rank	State/Union Territory	Dropout Rate (%)
1	Manipur	12.6
2	Assam	9.6
3	Arunachal Pradesh	7.7
4	Mizoram	7.6
5	Uttar Pradesh	7.6
6	Meghalaya	7.2
7	Tamil Nadu	5.6
8	Odisha	5.7
9	Rajasthan	5.0
10	Nagaland	4.8
11	Jharkhand	4.3
12	Gujarat	4.0
13	Andhra Pradesh	3.8
14	Bihar	3.8
15	Tripura	3.3
16	West Bengal	3.0
17	Madhya Pradesh	2.9
18	Karnataka	2.8
19	Sikkim	2.5
20	Chhattisgarh	2.4
21	Telangana	2.3
22	Haryana	2.0
23	Maharashtra	1.9
24	Punjab	1.8
25	Uttarakhand	1.7
26	Himachal Pradesh	1.4
27	Goa	1.2
28	Kerala	0.1
29	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0.0
30	Chandigarh	0.0
31	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	0.0
32	Delhi	0.0
33	Jammu and Kashmir	0.0
34	Ladakh	0.0
35	Lakshadweep	0.0
36	Puducherry	0.0

The national average for primary school dropout rates in India for 2025 stands at 1.4%, yet Manipur leads with a rate of 12.6%, followed by Assam at 9.6% and Arunachal Pradesh at 7.7%.

What accounts for this?

These regions experience harsh conditions, including poverty, isolated villages, and a scarcity of educational institutions.

In contrast, states like Kerala (0.1%) and Union Territories such as Chandigarh (0%) report nearly no dropouts, attributed to robust educational systems and free schooling.

Children in primary education frequently leave to assist with household responsibilities or to work, particularly in rural areas like Uttar Pradesh (7.6%).

State-Wise Dropout Rate in Secondary Schools (Classes 9–10) 2025

Rank	State/Union Territory	Dropout Rate (%)
1	Odisha	25.9
2	Bihar	19.5
3	Meghalaya	19.3
4	Assam	19.3
5	Gujarat	17.0
6	West Bengal	16.2
7	Punjab	15.5
8	Andhra Pradesh	15.4
9	Nagaland	14.7
10	Karnataka	13.9
11	Telangana	13.0
12	Rajasthan	12.4
13	Arunachal Pradesh	11.1
14	Chhattisgarh	9.2
15	Madhya Pradesh	9.1
16	Jharkhand	8.8
17	Tripura	8.6
18	Uttar Pradesh	8.3
19	Manipur	7.6
20	Haryana	7.0
21	Maharashtra	6.8
22	Sikkim	5.7
23	Mizoram	5.2
24	Uttarakhand	4.8
25	Himachal Pradesh	2.4
26	Tamil Nadu	1.9
27	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0.4
28	Kerala	0.4
29	Chandigarh	0.0
30	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	0.0
31	Delhi	0.0
32	Goa	0.0
33	Jammu and Kashmir	0.0
34	Ladakh	0.0
35	Lakshadweep	0.0
36	Puducherry	0.0

The dropout rates for secondary schools in India for the year 2025 are alarmingly high, averaging 12%.

Odisha stands out with an astonishing 25.9%, followed closely by Bihar at 19.5% and Meghalaya at 19.3%.

Many teenagers in these regions often leave school to pursue work or enter into marriage, particularly among girls. The challenges of poverty and the absence of nearby educational institutions severely impact rural communities.

Conversely, Kerala (0.4%) and Chandigarh (0%) manage to retain students in school through superior facilities and initiatives such as free transportation and meal programs.

The transition from primary to secondary education illustrates how increased academic demands and familial pressures contribute to student dropout rates.

State-Wise Dropout Rate in Higher Secondary Schools (Classes 11–12) 2025

Rank	State/Union Territory	Dropout Rate (%)
1	Rajasthan	13.3
2	Meghalaya	11.4
3	Assam	10.5
4	Bihar	10.3
5	Odisha	9.8
6	Nagaland	9.5
7	Tripura	9.3
8	Arunachal Pradesh	9.0
9	West Bengal	8.6
10	Gujarat	8.1
11	Andhra Pradesh	7.6
12	Karnataka	7.3
13	Punjab	7.0
14	Jharkhand	6.7
15	Manipur	6.5
16	Chhattisgarh	6.2
17	Uttar Pradesh	5.8
18	Madhya Pradesh	5.5
19	Telangana	5.2
20	Haryana	4.8
21	Maharashtra	4.5
22	Sikkim	4.0
23	Mizoram	3.8
24	Uttarakhand	3.5
25	Himachal Pradesh	2.9
26	Tamil Nadu	2.5
27	Goa	2.0
28	Kerala	1.0
29	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0.5
30	Chandigarh	0.0
31	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	0.0
32	Delhi	0.0
33	Jammu and Kashmir	0.0
34	Ladakh	0.0
35	Lakshadweep	0.0
36	Puducherry	0.0

In terms of dropout rates for higher secondary schools in India for 2025, the national average stands at 6.7%.

Rajasthan leads with a rate of 13.3%, followed by Meghalaya at 11.4% and Assam at 10.5%.

The higher secondary level presents significant challenges—examinations such as the Class 12 boards and the necessity to earn income compel many students to leave.

States like Kerala (1%) and Tamil Nadu (2.5%) perform better due to the availability of more colleges and vocationally oriented courses.

Union Territories like Delhi (0%) excel because of urban educational institutions and scholarship opportunities, while rural states continue to struggle.

Reasons for Variations in Dropout Rates Across States

The variations in dropout rates across Indian states in 2025 can be attributed to several factors:

• Poverty: In states such as Bihar and Odisha, children often leave school to work in agriculture or retail.
• Schools: Kerala and Tamil Nadu boast a high number of educational institutions, whereas Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have significantly fewer, particularly in rural areas.
• Gender: In regions like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, girls frequently drop out due to early marriage, although initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao are making a difference.
• Jobs: In industrialized states such as Gujarat (17% secondary dropout), adolescents often opt for factory employment over continuing their education.

Challenges and Positive Developments

The high school dropout rates in India for the year 2025 are decreasing, largely due to the National Education Policy 2020 promoting free education and vocational training.

However, challenges persist: rural schools in Jharkhand, with only 8.8% secondary enrollment, are facing a shortage of teachers, and Odisha’s elevated dropout rates indicate inadequate infrastructure.

In certain states, girls’ dropout rates are lower than those of boys (46.3% compared to 53.7% at the primary level, according to UDISE+), yet in regions like Uttar Pradesh, the opposite is true.

Positive developments can be seen in Kerala, which boasts nearly zero dropout rates, and Chandigarh, where urban success illustrates the potential of effective schools and support.

The Path Forward

India aims for 100% school retention by the year 2030, with states such as Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh (2.4% secondary enrollment) taking the lead.

Innovative technologies, including online classes, along with initiatives like providing free uniforms, contribute to keeping children in school.

However, states like Bihar and Rajasthan require additional schools and job opportunities to mitigate dropout rates.

The dropout statistics for India in 2025 serve as a clarion call—every child who remains in school contributes to the development of a more robust India.

Source

• Ministry of Education. (2023, December 15). Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2021–22. https://udiseplus.gov.in/reports
• Ministry of Education. (2024, October 10). UDISE+ 2023–24: School education statistics. https://udiseplus.gov.in/dashboard
• Ministry of Finance. (2024, July 22). Economic Survey 2024–25: Education and skill development. https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey