To fully convert its vast human resource base into high-quality human capital, India needs to raise its EYS to 15-year set by National Education Policy (NEP) schooling structure for 3-18. In the NEP 5+3+3+4 structure, a strong base of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) from age 3 is included as part of formal education, which is aimed at promoting better overall learning, development, and well-being, it  said.
Achieving this requires a holistic, lifecycle approach that encompasses early childhood education, foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), universal secondary schooling, and the seamless integration of vocational and digital skills, the survey said.
Strengthening school education today is not just a sectoral reform, but an investment in India’s future prosperity, productivity, and leadership in the decades ahead. India continues to enjoy a strong demographic advantage. In 2024, nearly 27 per cent of India’s population was in the school-going age group (3–18 years). Even by 2047, this age group will account for over 20 per cent, it said.
The NEP, the first major education policy reform in 34 years, aims to transform India’s education system to address 21st-century challenges, the survey said.
While India has improved enrolment at early levels, the secondary age-specific net enrolment (NER) remains low at 52.2 per cent, highlighting the need to retain students beyond Grade VIII, it said.
A key issue is the uneven distribution of schools: 54 per cent of schools offer only foundational-preparatory education, while just 17.1 per cent provide secondary education in rural areas. Urban areas have a higher share of secondary schools (38.1 per cent). This disparity limits rural students’ access to higher level classes, resulting in transition losses, increased travel time, and higher dropout rates, the survey said.
Further action is required, especially as the focus shifts from enrolment to learning outcomes. Policy interventions to expand composite and integrated schools, upgrading schools up to Class XII, and strengthening open schooling are vital for improving retention and optimising resources, it said.
Going forward, it is essential to move beyond aggregate scores to identify underlying learning gaps and areas of conceptual confusion among students. This calls for further strengthening of the assessment system and strategy, so that assessment results effectively support improvements in learning outcomes through enhanced teacher capacity and pedagogy, the survey said.
