Over 1.45 crore students enrolled in 1.04 lakh primary schools in Maharashtra

Mumbai, March 5, 2026: Maharashtra’s primary education sector has recorded a significant milestone, with over 1.45 crore students currently enrolled across 1.04 lakh primary schools. This data, released as part of the Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled in the state legislature on Thursday, the state’s expansive educational reach and key trends impacting student learning environments.

Maharashtra’s Primary Education : Key Figures Revealed

The Economic Survey 2025-26 provides a full overview of the state’s educational infrastructure. IT confirms that Maharashtra is home to more than 1.04 lakh primary schools, catering to approximately 1.45 crore students. This figure reflects a marginal increase in the number of primary and upper primary schools, rising from 1,04,499 in the 2023-24 academic year to 1,04,526 in 2024-25. While the overall number of schools has slightly expanded, the percentage of schools located in rural areas saw a minor dip from 75.2% to 75.1% during the same period.

The survey positive shifts in key educational indicators. The percentage of girls’ enrolment has shown a steady upward trend, increasing from 47.7% in 2023-24 to 47.8% in 2024-25. This incremental rise signifies continued efforts towards gender parity in education. , the Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR), a critical measure of classroom attention and resource allocation, has improved. IT decreased from 31.1 in 2023-24 to a more favourable 30:1 in 2024-25, indicating a better teacher-to-student balance across primary classrooms.

The number of primary schools per thousand children in the relevant age group also saw a slight adjustment, moving from 10.1 in 2023-24 to 10 in 2024-25, reflecting the dynamic nature of population distribution and school availability.

Key Primary Education Statistics	2023-24	2024-25
Total Primary & Upper Primary Schools	1,04,499	1,04,526
Total Primary Students Enrolled	—	~1.45 crore
Girls’ Enrolment Percentage	47.7%	47.8%
Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR)	31.1	30:1
Rural Schools Percentage	75.2%	75.1%
Primary Schools per 1000 Children (Age Group)	10.1	10

Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Overview

Beyond primary education, the Economic Survey 2025-26 also shed light on the secondary and higher secondary segments. Maharashtra currently operates 29,641 secondary and higher secondary schools, which collectively cater to an enrolment of approximately 63.6 lakh students. These figures underscore the full educational infrastructure available across the state, supporting students through various stages of their academic progression.

Government Initiatives Boosting Child Welfare and Education Funding

The state government’s commitment to child welfare and educational development is further evidenced by its ongoing programmes and budgetary allocations. The Economic Survey the strong implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. This vital initiative operates through an extensive network of 1,10,664 anganwadis, spread across 553 child development projects throughout Maharashtra.

The ICDS scheme is designed to provide a suite of services for the early development of children below six years, as well as for pregnant and lactating women. These services include supplementary nutrition, immunisation, regular health check-ups, timely referral services, and pre-school education. Such programmes form the bedrock of early childhood care, directly impacting the foundational learning and health of future primary school entrants.

Financially, the state’s dedication to its youngest citizens is reflected in the increasing share of the child budget within the total state budget. This allocation saw an increase from 12.9% in 2024-25 (revised estimates) to 13.3% in 2025-26 (budget estimates). This upward trend in child-centric budgetary provisions signals a strategic focus on investing in the well-being and educational future of Maharashtra’s children.

Implications for Students and Families in Maharashtra

The findings of the Economic Survey 2025-26 carry significant implications for students and their families across Maharashtra. The improved Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) in primary schools, now at 30:1, suggests that students may benefit from more individualised attention and a better learning environment. This can lead to d academic outcomes and a more engaging classroom experience. The consistent rise in girls’ enrolment is a positive indicator of increasing access and retention for female students, building greater gender equity in education.

For younger children, the widespread reach and full services of the ICDS scheme through anganwadis are invaluable. These centres provide critical early childhood education and nutritional support, preparing children for formal schooling and ensuring their foundational health. Parents should actively explore the benefits offered by their local anganwadis for children below six years.

students in primary education can also look towards opportunities like the Maharashtra State Scholarship Exam, conducted by the Maharashtra State Council of Examinations (MSCE), Pune. This exam assesses students in language, mathematics, science, and general knowledge, providing a platform for academic recognition and financial support.

Steps for Parents and Guardians

• Explore ICDS Benefits: Parents with children below six years should connect with their nearest anganwadi to understand and avail services like supplementary nutrition, immunisation, and pre-school education.
• Monitor School Quality: Engage with primary schools to understand classroom dynamics and how the improved Pupil-Teacher Ratio translates into better learning experiences for students.
• Encourage Girls’ Education: Continue to support and encourage girls’ enrolment and retention in schools, leveraging the positive trend in female student participation.
• Prepare for Scholarship Exams: For eligible primary students, consider preparing for the Maharashtra State Scholarship Exam conducted by MSCE, Pune, to explore academic opportunities and support.
• Stay Informed: Keep abreast of state government initiatives and budgetary allocations that directly impact educational infrastructure and student welfare.

Maharashtra Education Sector: A Forward Look

The state’s commitment to education is an ongoing process, with several key events shaping the academic calendar and policy . The recent Economic Survey and the upcoming budget presentation are important moments that define the direction of educational development in Maharashtra.

Date	Event
March 5, 2026	Economic Survey 2025-26 Tabled in State Legislature
March 6, 2026	Maharashtra State Budget 2026-27 Presentation by CM Devendra Fadnavis
April 2026	Start of New Academic Session for Primary Schools (Tentative)
May – June 2026	Maharashtra State Scholarship Exam Application Window (Expected)
October 2026	UIDAI Aadhaar Biometric Update Deadline for Children aged 7-15 (Free updates through school camps)
Throughout 2026	Ongoing implementation of ICDS scheme across 1,10,664 anganwadis

Quick Summary

• Maharashtra’s primary schools enrolled over 1.45 crore students across 1.04 lakh institutions, as per the Economic Survey 2025-26.
• The number of primary and upper primary schools increased marginally from 1,04,499 in 2023-24 to 1,04,526 in 2024-25.
• Girls’ enrolment saw a slight rise from 47.7% in 2023-24 to 47.8% in 2024-25.
• The Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) improved, dipping from 31.1 in 2023-24 to 30:1 in 2024-25.
• The state government’s child budget share increased to 13.3% in 2025-26, supporting initiatives like the ICDS scheme operating through 1,10,664 anganwadis.

TAGS: Maharashtra Education, Primary Schools, Student Enrollment, Economic Survey 2025-26, Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Girls’ Education, ICDS Scheme, Child Budget, Maharashtra State Scholarship Exam, School Infrastructure, Education Policy

Official Announcement

Maharashtra is not just spending – IT’s investing in the future.
With ₹1.05 lakh crore education budget for 2025–26, Maharashtra has become India’s No.1 state in education spending.

That’s more than Tamil Nadu and Gujarat combined.
This is not just numbers – IT’s a clear… pic.twitter.com/KP6sz5E08O

— Arpit (@ag_arpit1) July 28, 2025

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