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Govt schools in Delhi see higher dropout rate among boys at upper primary level, says study

In 2024-25, the report revealed, dropout among boys at the upper primary stage was 1.3%, higher than in 2023-24, when it was 0.6%.

2 min readNew DelhiJan 31, 2026 10:06 AM IST

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Delhi government schools saw a higher dropout rate among boys in 2024-25 compared to the previous academic year, even as the Capital sustained near-zero dropout at the primary level for a decade.

These findings are among the highlights of a recent report prepared by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics — the nodal department of National Capital Territory of Delhi for collection, compilation, analysis and presentation of statistical data and information.

In 2024-25, the report revealed, dropout among boys at the upper primary stage was 1.3%, higher than in 2023-24, when it was 0.6%.

Nationally, however, Delhi fared better at the upper primary level with an overall dropout rate of about 0.8%, placing it alongside Telangana, Maharashtra, Manipur and Goa, as per data supplied by the Union Education Ministry, which was quoted in the report. In contrast, states such as Nagaland (11.6%), Bihar (9.3%) and Meghalaya (7.8%) have recorded the highest upper primary dropout rates.

In the Capital, the dropout rate among boys became more pronounced at the secondary stage. In 2024-25, boys recorded a dropout rate of about 9.1% in Classes IX-X, while girls recorded around 5.8%.

Even as the dropout rate in the secondary schools has fallen from nearly 19% for boys and about 16% for girls in 2017-18 to 9.1% and 5.8%, respectively in 2024-25, many students are still leaving school before completing Class X.

“Delhi’s dropout patterns could reflect an older student population juggling school with work. But broader data from the Unified District Information System and the Education Ministry to track and monitor school education parameters shows overall enrolment falling nationally over the last three years. These trends are largely due to demographic changes,” a senior official said.

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The government has flagged challenges in retaining students after the foundational years despite gains in the enrolments of girls and the number of teachers, the official said.

Officials said the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in the Capital is also examining the reasons behind student dropouts across school stages through an ongoing study.

Sophiya Mathew

Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Professional Background Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education. Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses: 1. The Air Pollution Crisis "A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure. "Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR. "Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter. 2. Enforcement & Regulations "No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy. 3. Education Policy "Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. "Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation. Signature Style Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws. X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More

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