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Government School Closure Report: According to UDISE+ data, a decline of approximately 10,000 in the number of government primary-level schools was recorded nationwide between 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Government School Closure Report: Data regarding the number of government schools in the country, presented in the Lok Sabha, has been released. According to UDISE+ figures, the number of government primary-level schools across the country dropped by nearly 10,000 between 2024-25 and 2025-26. In a single year, the count fell from 8,89,806 to 8,79,940—a reduction of 9,866 schools. However, the Ministry of Education has not clarified how many of these schools actually closed due to low student enrollment. Let us look at which state leads the country in the reduction of government school numbers over this one-year period.

A reduction of 9,866 schools in one year

According to the data presented in the Lok Sabha, there were 8,89,806 government primary-level schools in the country in 2024-25. By 2025-26, this number had fallen to 8,79,940. There was a decrease of 9,866 schools—approximately 1.1 percent—over the year. This figure was revealed in response to a question by DMK MP T.R. Baalu. He had asked whether a large number of primary schools had been closed due to low student enrollment and what steps the government was taking to curb dropouts. In its reply, the Ministry of Education provided the total number of government schools for both academic years but did not specify the number of schools closed specifically due to a lack of students.

Which state leads in the reduction of school numbers?

Meghalaya recorded the largest decline in the number of government primary schools. There were 7,633 schools here in 2024-25, a figure that dropped to 5,459 in 2025-26—a reduction of 2,174 schools in a single year. Telangana followed, with the number of government schools falling from 22,983 to 21,022, marking a decrease of 1,961 schools. Andhra Pradesh also recorded a decline of 1,446 schools, with the count dropping from 37,449 to 36,003.

School numbers also fell in these states

In Madhya Pradesh, the number of government primary schools decreased by 1,043. Karnataka saw a reduction of 615 schools, West Bengal 587, Rajasthan 473, and Maharashtra 357. Himachal Pradesh recorded a drop of 259 schools, and Assam 209. Uttar Pradesh also saw a slight decline in the number of government primary schools; the state, which hosts the country’s largest government primary school network, saw its count fall from 134,115 to 133,948.

Numbers increased in Bihar and Chhattisgarh

Not all states experienced a decline in the number of government schools. In Bihar, the number of schools rose from 66,803 in 2024-25 to 66,915 in 2025-26—an increase of 112 schools. Chhattisgarh also saw the number of government primary schools rise from 43,836 to 43,853. Meanwhile, there was no change in the number of schools in Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.