PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 out: Promising insights into student learning across India

New Delhi: In a major step towards data-driven education reform, the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 has offered valuable insights into learning outcomes across the country. Conducted by NCERT’s National Assessment Centre—PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), the survey marks India’s largest-ever student assessment at the system level.

Covering 21.15 lakh students from 74,229 schools across 781 districts in all 36 States and UTs, the survey assessed students in Grades 3, 6 and 9—reflecting the key stages of the foundational, preparatory and middle levels outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

What are the promising findings?

The findings show a promising picture, especially at the foundational level. In language, girls scored slightly higher than boys, with an average score of 65%, compared to 63% for boys. In Mathematics, both genders scored 60% on average.

Interestingly, rural students performed marginally better than urban peers, and State Government schools topped performance in Grade 3—showcasing the early success of the NIPUN Bharat Mission, the release noted.

As students progress through the preparatory and middle stages, Central Government schools emerged as high performers. However, urban-rural and gender gaps continue to highlight the need for targeted interventions.

The survey also points to urgent improvements needed in Mathematics and Science at higher grades, while advocating for more inclusive and gender-sensitive teaching approaches.
Feedback from over 2.7 lakh teachers and school leaders has shed light on broader educational conditions, including the use of digital tools and student mental well-being. However, concerns were raised about emotional stress among adolescents and the limited accessibility for Children with Special Needs (CWSN), which call for immediate systemic response.

Because the assessment aligns with NEP 2020 stages, only Grade 3 results can be directly compared across all three cycles—NAS 2017, 2021 and PRS 2024. "Comparison of Grade 6 and 9 scores with Grade 5 and 8 scores from previous rounds of NAS is likely to result in spurious conclusions due to change in the structure of the large-scale assessment,” the release warned.
How is the progress in Grade 3 proficiency?

Encouragingly, Grade 3 proficiency has seen notable progress. According to Item Response Theory (IRT) scores, 57% of students showed proficiency or above in language, and 65% in Mathematics in PRS 2024. This is a sharp rise from NAS 2021, where only 39% were proficient in language and 42% in Maths. Even compared to NAS 2017—which reported 47% in language and 53% in Maths—PRS 2024 reflects strong recovery from pandemic learning losses at the foundational stage.

While the national average still trails behind 2017 benchmarks, several States and UTs—including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh—have recorded all-time highs in 2024. Experts credit this turnaround to focused foundational learning initiatives, improved teacher training and NEP-aligned reforms like Mission NIPUN Bharat.

This progress is seen as a strong foundation for India's global education commitments. Foundational learning improvements are expected to boost India’s standing in SDG 4.1.1, which tracks basic proficiency in reading and mathematics at key educational stages.