A Report Card for a Billion+ Minds
The 2025 Ipsos Education Monitor highlights concerns about inadequate teacher training, outdated curriculum, unequal access to education, and overcrowded classrooms among Indians
India's school education system serves 24.8 crore students across 14.72 lakh schools with 98 lakh teachers, as per the Economic Survey 2024-25. Government schools comprise 69 % of the total, enrolling 50 % of students and employing 51 % of teachers, while private schools account for 22.5 %, enrolling 32.6 % of students and employing 38 % of teachers.
On this World Literacy Day, it is a fitting moment to reflect on the state of India's vast education sector. The nation has made monumental progress - for the first time in any academic year, since the beginning of UDISE +, the total number of teachers has crossed the 1 crore mark in 2024–25. The increase in teacher numbers is a critical step toward improving student-teacher ratios, ensuring quality education, and addressing regional disparities in teacher availability.
However, the overall literacy rates still have some way to go. According to the National Sample Survey Office's 2023-2024 report, India's total literacy rate for people aged seven and above is 80.9%. Other global reports places India's literacy rate at 74-76%, ranking it among countries with lower literacy rates. While India has made significant strides, it is still home to a large portion of the world's illiterate population, given that it is the most populous country in the world.
Total Population Literacy Rates
Source: worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/education-rankings-by-country
We need to be cognizant of the challenges faced as we aim towards achieving 100% literacy. The latest Ipsos Education Monitor 2025highlights concerns like "Inadequate teacher training" (23%) and an "outdated curriculum" (22%) - India must move beyond enrolment numbers and focus on modernising its syllabus and investing in its educators. While the quantity of educational provisions has grown, the quality remains a significant concern for many.
Issues like "unequal access to education" (22%) and “overcrowded classrooms” (22%) suggest that national averages of teacher: student ratio may not reflect the reality in all areas. India has successfully built a colossal education system, but the path to true, quality literacy for all requires tackling these deep-seated challenges head-on. Ensuring our teachers are well-trained and our curriculum is future-ready will be the key to empowering the next generation.
Challenges facing the education system
This responsibility, however, does not rest with the government alone. The corporate sector has a critical role to play. Forward-thinking companies are already making significant contributions through their ESG initiatives. Programs like Project Nanhi Kali have empowered hundreds of thousands of underprivileged girls by supporting them through ten years of schooling. This is not merely philanthropy; it is a strategic investment in the future. A more educated populace leads to greater financial independence and enhanced decision-making skills. Educated consumers are better equipped to evaluate products, understand complex information, and interact with brands based on values and quality, not just price. By investing in education, corporations are not just fulfilling a social responsibility—they are cultivating a more discerning, capable, and economically empowered consumer base for the future, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and opportunity for all.
