73% drop out before class 12: Why are India’s students disappearing?

Nearly 73% of students in India do not make it from primary to higher secondary, according to findings cited by a parliamentary panel based on UDISE+ 2024-25 data. As enrolment falls sharply across grades, the number of schools also drops—from primary to higher secondary. The panel has called for expanding and upgrading schools to improve access to higher education. The report also highlights major gaps in accessibility infrastructure and utilisation of funds for children with special needs. So, where are India’s students disappearing—and what can be done to keep them in school?