Numbers at a glance

As many as 415 million people in India, almost three times the population of Russia, have never attended any educational institute, of which 242 million (58%) are women, according to the Census data. The data reveal three major trends:

• As many as 1,403 women have never attended any educational institution for every 1,000 men who have not done so. The ratio increases sharply from 17 years till the 30-34 year age group where it is 2,009-which means for every man who has never attended an educational institution, there are two women who haven't
• In terms of attending schools, the number of women per 1,000 men remains fairly stable till the age of 16, and drops significantly from ages 17 to 24. And, more women than men (who are older than 24 years) are attending schools after marriage, especially in rural areas
• For colleges, the ratio is fairly stable in the 18-19 year age group but starts dropping from the 20-24-year age group. The trend observed in colleges eventually translates into fewer women entering the workforce