Improvement has been seen in many important indicators related to school infrastructure and women’s participation in education during the academic session (2025-26). According to new data, the availability of ramps with handrails built for the convenience of students with disabilities is continuously increasing in schools across the country. Besides, the number of women teachers and enrollment of girl students has also increased.
The data shows that the percentage of schools equipped with ramps with handrails increased to 58.2% in 2025-26. This figure was 54.9% in 2024-25, 52.3% in 2023-24 and 51% in 2022-23, indicating continued expansion of disability-friendly infrastructure in schools. Women’s participation in the teaching workforce has also increased. In 2025-26, the share of women teachers in the total teaching staff was 54.9%, which was 54.2% last year. During this session, the number of school teachers in India has crossed the 1 crore (10 million) mark for the first time, with the highest share of female teachers at 54.9%.
Continuous improvement in enrollment of girl students
This figure was 53.3% in 2023-24 and 52.3% in 2022-23. The increasing number of women teachers is being seen as a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and sensitive teaching environment in schools. Meanwhile, continuous improvement has also been seen in the enrollment of girl students. Enrollment of girls in schools increased to 48.4% in 2025-26, while it was 48.3% in 2024-25, 48.1% in 2023-24 and 48% in 2022-23. Due to improved facilities, the dropout rate has reduced from 8.2% to 7.0% at the secondary level and to 1.8% at the preparatory level.
Girls’ participation is getting stronger
Although this increase is modest, it shows that girls’ access to and participation in education is continuously strengthening. Overall, the data for 2025-26 indicates continued progress in both improving basic school infrastructure across the country and promoting gender equality in education.
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