A recent report from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reveals encouraging trends in the well-being of children in India. The "Children in India 2025" report, the fourth such publication by MoSPI, was released during the 29th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations (CoCSSO) in Chandigarh. It offers a comprehensive analysis of children's status across various dimensions, including education, health, nutrition, and protection. The data is compiled from various ministries and organizations, providing valuable insights for evidence-based policies and interventions.

Education on the Upswing

India's education system demonstrates improved student retention, with dropout rates declining across all levels in 2024-25. The report indicates a substantial decrease in dropout rates compared to previous years. The dropout rate has decreased from 13.8% in 2022-23 to 8.2% in 2024-25. Specifically, the total dropout rate at the preparatory stage (classes 3-5) sharply fell from 8.7% to 2.3%. At the middle school level, the rate declined from 8.1% to 3.5%. The gross enrollment ratio has also increased at the secondary and middle levels.

MoSPI's Comprehensive Modular Survey on Education (CMS:E) highlights that government schools continue to play a dominant role, accounting for 55.9% of total enrollments. This is especially true in rural areas, where 66% of students attend government schools. The CMS:E also reveals that approximately 27% of students take private coaching, with a higher prevalence in urban areas (30.7%) compared to rural areas (25.5%).

Child Health Improvements

The MoSPI report indicates improvements in key child health indicators. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has shown a decreasing trend, dropping from 44 in 2011 to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023. The under-five mortality rate (U5MR) is estimated at 29 in 2023, an improvement from 30 in 2022.

Other Key Findings

Besides education and health, the "Children in India 2025" report highlights other positive trends:

• Decline in Early Marriage: The percentage of women aged 20-24 years who married before 18 has reduced from 26.8% in 2015-16 to 23.3% in 2019-21.
• Increase in Adoptions: The total number of children adopted has increased from 3,927 in 2017-18 to 4,515 in 2024-25.

Areas of Concern

Despite the progress, the MoSPI report and experts point out areas that still need attention:

• Stunting: While mortality rates are falling, stunting remains a concern. According to NFHS-5 findings, 36% of Indian children are stunted.
• Learning Outcomes: Some experts question whether reduced dropout rates translate to better learning outcomes. They emphasize that retention is not the same as education, and many children still struggle with basic reading skills.
• Crimes Against Children: There is a reported rise in crimes against children, with kidnapping and abduction being the most reported cases.

Moving Forward

The "Children in India 2025" report provides valuable data for policymakers and stakeholders to address the challenges and ensure the well-being of children in India. While progress has been made in education and health, continued efforts are needed to address malnutrition, improve learning outcomes, and protect children from crime. MoSPI is also collaborating with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) to conduct a national child survey to map the needs of children and create a child index under the Mission Vatsalya scheme.