GS-2Editorials22 August 2026thehindu.com

Ensuring equity amid India’s educational progress

The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2025-26 report highlights significant progress in India's school education system, including improved gross enrolment, student retention, and infrastructure. However, the report also reveals persistent regional and social disparities across various indicators such as access, resources, learning opportunities, and educational outcomes. These disparities are evident in Gross Enrolment Ratios (GER), dropout rates, Pupil-Teacher Ratios (PTR), and infrastructure availability among different socioeconomic groups and geographic regions. The article emphasizes the need for targeted investments, improved digital infrastructure, adequate teacher deployment, and stronger support for disadvantaged groups, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, to bridge these gaps and foster an equitable and inclusive education system.

The Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2025-26 report highlights significant progress in India's school education system, including improved gross enrolment, student retention, and infrastructure. However, the report also reveals persistent regional and social disparities across various indicators such as access, resources, learning opportunities, and educational outcomes. These disparities are evident in Gross Enrolment Ratios (GER), dropout rates, Pupil-Teacher Ratios (PTR), and infrastructure availability among different socioeconomic groups and geographic regions. The article emphasizes the need for targeted investments, improved digital infrastructure, adequate teacher deployment, and stronger support for disadvantaged groups, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, to bridge these gaps and foster an equitable and inclusive education system.

Exam linkage

GS Paper 2: Social Justice - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Syllabus mapping

Social Justice & DevelopmentWelfare Schemes & Social PoliciesSeparation Of PowersSocial Sector Health EducationInternational InstitutionsInclusive GrowthLiberalization Industrial Policy

This topic appears in Mains

Questions on Social Justice & Development come up regularly in GS papers. Practice writing an answer — and see exactly what earns marks.

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