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The report was released on May 6, 2026, by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery and Chief Executive Officer Nidhi Chhibber.
The report presents a detailed analysis of the changes, achievements and challenges in India’s school education system over the past decade. Its main objective is to improve the quality of education across the country, strengthen digital learning and ensure equal access to education for all children.
Detailed Study on One of the World’s Largest Education Systems
According to the report, India’s school education system is among the largest in the world. At present, nearly 14.71 lakh schools are operating across the country, with more than 24.69 crore students enrolled.
The report analyses the education systems of all 36 states and Union Territories. It includes detailed observations on access to schools, student enrolment, infrastructure, digital facilities, equality, inclusion and learning outcomes.
Improvement in Digital and Basic Infrastructure in Schools
The report highlights significant progress in the availability of electricity, toilets, drinking water and inclusive infrastructure in schools over the past few years.
Along with this, digital education has also expanded rapidly. According to the report, access to computers, internet connectivity and smart classrooms in schools has increased considerably compared to earlier years. This is helping students learn through modern technology.
Experts believe that the expansion of digital education is also providing better learning resources to students in rural and remote areas.
Better Participation of Girls and Marginalised Communities
The report describes the improved participation of girls in education as a positive sign. It also notes an increase in enrolment among Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. NITI Aayog stated that several initiatives launched by the central and state governments to promote equality and inclusion in education are now showing positive results.
The report further mentions that learning outcomes among students have improved after the pandemic, especially in foundational literacy and numeracy skills. It credits initiatives such as the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), NIPUN Bharat Mission and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for this progress.
Identification of 11 Major Challenges in School Education
The report identifies 11 major challenges related to school education. These include shortage of teachers, inequality in school resources, digital divide, differences in learning levels, administrative challenges and unequal access to quality education.
NITI Aayog stated that increasing the number of schools alone is not enough, and there is also a need to provide students with a better learning environment and quality education.
13 Major Recommendations for Quality Improvement
The report provides 13 broad recommendations to improve the education system. These include strengthening school infrastructure, administrative reforms, making School Management Committees more effective, improving teacher deployment and training, expanding digital education and promoting equality and inclusion.
In addition, the report focuses on improving teaching methods and assessment systems, holistic student development, vocational education, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Experts believe that AI-based learning and digital tools will play a major role in the education system in the future.
Focus on Preparing School Education for the Future
The report states that education should not remain limited to an examination-based system. Instead, schools should focus on developing creative thinking, skill development and problem-solving abilities among students.
NITI Aayog has recommended promoting skill-based education, vocational training and technology-driven learning in schools so that students are prepared for future jobs and the changing technological world.
Detailed Roadmap Prepared for Implementation
The report also outlines 33 implementation pathways to put these recommendations into action. These have been divided into short-term, medium-term and long-term plans. In addition, more than 125 performance indicators have been identified to monitor progress in the education sector.
The report also includes examples of successful educational initiatives and innovations adopted by various states and districts, so that other regions can learn from them and strengthen their own education systems.
Initiative Linked to the Vision of Developed India
Experts believe that this report by NITI Aayog is an important step towards preparing India’s school education system for the future. It can help improve the quality of education, promote digital learning and ensure equal opportunities for all students.
The aim of the report is not only to analyse the education system but also to build a strong, modern and inclusive education framework in line with the vision of “Developed India 2047.”
