Number of school teachers crossed 1 crore, student enrolment dropped during 2024-25: MoE report

new delhi: for the first time, the total number of school teachers across india crossed the one crore mark during 2024-25, according to the ministry of education's udise data.while overall school enrolment fell to a seven-year low of 24.68 crore, a decline of 11 lakh compared to the previous year, officials attributed the drop mainly to falling birth rates in most states.the udise plus platform, maintained by the education ministry, reported a 6.7% increase in teacher numbers compared to 2022-23. pupil-teacher ratios (ptr) at foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary levels improved to 10, 13, 17, and 21 respectively, well below the nep's recommended 1:30 ratio.“this improved ptr allows more individual attention and stronger teacher-student interaction, enhancing learning experiences and academic outcomes,” the report noted.student enrolment has been declining consistently: 24.8 crore in 2023-24, down from 25.18 crore in 2022-23. officials said the decline is linked to outdated census data, with updated figures expected after the 2026 census.dropout rates fell significantly in 2024-25 across preparatory (2.3%), middle (3.5%), and secondary (8.2%) levels, reflecting improved student retention and effective initiatives to keep children engaged. retention rates rose across all levels, notably at the preparatory level (85.4% to 92.4%) and middle level (78% to 82.8%).the increase in secondary schools also contributed to higher retention. udise plus reported declines in zero-enrolment and single-teacher schools, down 38% and 6% respectively, enabling better allocation of teachers and improved ptr management.overall, the report indicates steady progress in the education system through targeted interventions and improved school infrastructure.