New Delhi: A major shift in India's education landscape has emerged, with boys now dropping out of school at higher rates than girls across all levels—primary, upper primary, and secondary—reversing a trend that persisted for decades.

According to an analysis of 2024-25 Education Ministry data by News18, while girls previously faced social barriers to schooling, boys are increasingly leaving education early due to factors such as entry into the workforce driven by poor economic conditions.

For the academic year 2024-25, boys’ dropout rate at the primary level stood at 0.8 per cent, compared to virtually no dropout for girls. At the upper primary stage, boys’ dropout rose to 4.1 per cent against 2.9 per cent for girls.

At the secondary level, 13.3 per cent of boys left school prematurely, while girls’ dropout was lower at 9.6 per cent. News18’s analysis highlights that this marks a clear reversal from previous years, when girls’ dropout rates at the upper primary level were higher in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Overall enrolment has fallen, largely due to boys. Between 2022-23 and 2024-25, India’s total school enrolment dropped by nearly 50 lakh, with boys accounting for over 33 lakh of the decline, while girls’ enrolment remained relatively stable.

Girls also show stronger retention, with almost 94 per cent staying enrolled at the primary level, compared to 92 per cent of boys in 2024-25. At the secondary level, 64 per cent of girls continued their education versus 62 per cent of boys.

This emerging trend presents a new challenge for policymakers aiming to achieve universal access to education by 2030, requiring targeted support for both boys and girls.