Delhi Economic Survey 2025-26: Girls ahead of boys in school enrolment across all levels
New Delhi, March 26, 2026 – Girls in Delhi schools now outnumber boys in enrolment across all educational levels. The Delhi Economic Survey 2025-26 reveals this significant shift, marking a reversal of historical national trends.
This landmark achievement Delhi’s progress in gender parity within education. The full survey data shows girls consistently ahead from primary to higher secondary stages.
Girls Outpace Boys in Delhi School Enrolment
The Economic Survey of Delhi 2025-26, released today, confirms a notable educational milestone. Girls’ enrolment rates surpass boys’ at every school level. This includes primary, upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary education.
Chief Minister [Name Redacted] tabled the survey in the State Assembly. The findings challenge traditional enrolment patterns seen nationally. Delhi’s education system demonstrates strong performance in this regard.
Gross Enrolment Ratios Gender Gap
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) figures clearly show girls leading boys. At the primary level, girls recorded a GER of 107.2. Boys stood at 97.4, indicating a substantial gap.
The disparity widened at the upper primary stage. Girls achieved a GER of 122, while boys reached 113.1. This trend continued across all subsequent levels.
| Education Level | Girls’ GER (%) | Boys’ GER (%) | Delhi Combined GER (%) | National GER (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 107.2 | 97.4 | 101.8 | 90.9 |
| Upper Primary | 122.0 | 113.1 | 117.3 (approx) | 90.3 |
| Elementary | 112.8 | 103.4 | – | – |
| Secondary | 104.7 | 98.0 | – | – |
| Higher Secondary | 87.2 | 78.7 | – | – |
The GER for girls consistently remained higher than boys across all stages. Delhi’s combined GER figures also significantly outstripped national averages.
Net Enrolment Ratios Confirm Trend
Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) data further reinforces the girls’ lead. NER measures enrolment among children of the official school-going age. Girls achieved near-complete enrolment at the primary level.
Their NER stood at 100 percent for primary education. Boys recorded a NER of 90.5 percent at the same level. This gap persisted into higher grades.
| Education Level | Girls’ NER (%) | Boys’ NER (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | 100.0 | 90.5 |
| Secondary | 82.5 | 72.5 |
| Higher Secondary | 68.8 | 58.8 |
The NER figures confirm a clear advantage for girls in Delhi’s education system. This indicates strong retention of girls within their age-appropriate school levels.
Delhi’s Enrolment Surpasses National Averages
Delhi’s overall enrolment figures are remarkably strong. They stand more than 10 percentage points above the national average at most levels. This the capital’s strong educational infrastructure and outreach.
The national GER at the primary level was 90.9. Delhi’s combined figure reached 101.8, a significant difference. At upper primary, the national figure was 90.3, while Delhi recorded 117.3.
This consistent outperformance positions Delhi as a leader in educational access. The city’s policies appear effective in boosting school participation.
Reversal of Historical Gender Trends
The survey data marks a reversal of the national pattern. Historically, girls have often been enrolled at lower rates than boys across India. Delhi’s current figures defy this long-standing trend.
This shift reflects successful initiatives promoting girls’ education. IT the impact of sustained efforts towards gender equality in schooling. The data offers a positive outlook for future female empowerment.
Addressing Boys’ Enrolment Challenges
While celebrating girls’ success, the data also raises important questions. Boys’ enrolment, particularly at the higher secondary level, shows a significant gap. The difference between girls and boys is approximately nine percentage points here.
This disparity warrants further investigation and targeted interventions. Policy makers may need to explore factors affecting boys’ continued education. Understanding these challenges is for balanced educational development.
Student Performance Shows Mixed Results
The Economic Survey also presented insights into student performance. Delhi students showed mixed academic results. In Class 3, performance in language and math was slightly below the national average.
However, Class 9 students demonstrated marked improvement. They excelled particularly in language, sciences, and social science. Overall, Delhi’s attendance rates also outperformed national figures.
The 2024-25 academic year saw Delhi government schools achieve a 98.3% pass percentage in Class 12. This indicates strong outcomes at the senior secondary level. The focus now shifts to foundational learning improvements.
Education Spending and Policy Context
Delhi’s commitment to education is evident in its financial allocations. Education spending has doubled over the past decade. However, its share in the total budget has seen a slight decrease.
The budget share moved from 24.47% to 19.04%. Recent reforms include new assessment methodologies and language labs. These initiatives aim to learning quality and outcomes.
The survey also ed Delhi’s broader economic health. The per capita income is estimated to grow at 7.09% in 2025-26. This economic growth provides a strong foundation for continued educational investment.
Key Takeaways for Future Education Policy
The Delhi Economic Survey 2025-26 provides critical insights for educators and policymakers. These findings necessitate strategic planning for balanced growth.
- Sustain Girls’ Enrolment: Continue and strengthen policies that encourage girls’ participation and retention.
- Investigate Boys’ Drop-off: Research reasons behind lower boys’ enrolment, especially at higher secondary levels, and implement corrective measures.
- Foundational Learning: Focus on improving Class 3 performance in core subjects like language and math.
- use High Enrolment: Utilize Delhi’s higher-than-national enrolment rates to drive overall academic excellence.
- Monitor Budget Allocation: Ensure education spending remains strong despite shifts in budget share to maintain quality.
Quick Summary
- Delhi Economic Survey 2025-26 shows girls ahead of boys in school enrolment.
- Girls’ Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) surpass boys’ at all levels.
- Delhi’s enrolment figures are more than 10 percentage points above the national average.
- The data marks a reversal of the national pattern of lower girls’ enrolment.
- Concerns arise regarding boys’ enrolment, particularly at the higher secondary level.
TAGS: Delhi Education, Girls Enrolment, Economic Survey 2025-26, Gender Parity, School Enrolment, Education Policy, Delhi Schools, Gross Enrolment Ratio, Net Enrolment Ratio
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