Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s presentation of the Economic Survey 2025-26 paints an optimistic picture of India’s education sector, marked by exponential expansion and strategic reforms. India’s school network, comprising 1.47 million institutions, serves 246.9 million learners with 10.1 million educators, positioning it as a global education giant.

Enrolment ratios reflect consistent gains: 90.9% at primary, 90.3% upper primary, 78.7% secondary, and 58.4% higher secondary, aligning with NEP 2030 ambitions. Higher education has seen HEIs surge to 70,018 from 51,534 in 2014-15, with enrolment climbing to 44.6 million. The proliferation of elite institutions—23 IITs, 21 IIMs, 20 AIIMS—plus overseas outposts exemplifies this momentum.

Key enablers include the Academic Bank of Credits with 2,660 linked institutions and 46 million IDs issued. Flexible academic structures in 153 universities, international twinning for dual degrees, and prospective campuses from 15 foreign entities are set to elevate standards. Literacy rates are up, vocational education expanded, thanks to targeted interventions.

Challenges persist in skilling: a mere 0.97% of youth aged 14-18 get formal training, vital for harnessing demographic advantages, especially in services employing over half the formally skilled workforce. Embedding vocational pathways in schools could reduce dropouts and enhance employability.

Infrastructure boosts via PM SHRI Schools, ECCE integration in 299,544 facilities, and innovative tools like e-Jadui Pitara and multilingual book schemes ensure equitable access. NEP’s restructured 15-year schooling emphasizes seamless progression from early foundations to advanced digital and vocational competencies.

UGC and AICTE’s ‘Professor of Practice’ initiative addresses faculty shortages. Overall, the survey underscores a holistic push to convert India’s vast populace into a skilled, productive force, driving sustainable development.