New Delhi — Indus Action’s annual Right to Education Retention Report 2025 reveals a remarkable 91% retention rate among RTE students across Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Uttarakhand, demonstrating the program’s resilience amid India’s complex socio-economic landscape.
Despite persistent economic volatility, rural-urban migration, and the lasting impacts of the pandemic, RTE’s Section 12(1)(c) provision continues to deliver on its promise of inclusive education. The policy mandates 25% seat reservation in private schools for economically disadvantaged children, creating pathways that transcend traditional class barriers.
The report’s cohorts (2021-22 and 2023-24) capture education’s trajectory through and beyond COVID-19 disruptions. The sustained 91% retention rate indicates that RTE students have weathered digital divides and learning losses better than anticipated, though the report notes a critical gap: comprehensive tracking of post-RTE educational outcomes remains limited.
These findings complement the National Education Policy 2020 vision of universal quality education. The 87% inclusion rate in school activities and 98% positive peer interactions demonstrate that RTE isn’t just about access—it’s about fostering the social integration and holistic development that NEP emphasises.
The survey reveals that Odisha has achieved an impressive 97% retention rate for students admitted under the RTE provision. This exceptional performance underscores the state’s implementation strategy’s effectiveness and dedication to ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds gain access to quality education and continue their academic journey.
State Performance Highlights:
- Odisha leads with 97% retention, benefiting 24,834 students in 2025
- Uttarakhand shows strong implementation effectiveness
- Regional variations suggest successful models can be replicated
“These findings underscore the critical importance of addressing financial barriers that continue to challenge families despite policy provisions,” said Tarun Cherukuri, Founder & CEO of Indus Action. “While we celebrate the 91% retention rate as a testament to the potential of RTE 12(1)(c)’s impact, if we continue to believe in an inclusive society, we must also acknowledge that true educational equity requires reducing the harmful stress families face due to financial burdens of schooling expenses.”
“For the latest academic year, 24,834 students have benefited from this transformative program,” stated Smt. Susri Sangita Panda, Deputy Director of Elementary Education, Odisha. “This achievement reflects our commitment to providing quality education opportunities to underprivileged children.”
The gender dimension tells an encouraging story, where girls consistently outperform boys in retention rates across all surveyed states, suggesting that educational access is helping bridge India’s historic gender gap in schooling. This trend aligns with broader national progress toward gender parity in education.
However, challenges persist in the digital age. While 81% of RTE students form friendships across socio-economic lines, questions remain about their access to digital learning tools and technology-enhanced education that increasingly defines quality schooling.
Despite policy frameworks, 61% of families still face school-related expenses, with 57% finding these “quite difficult” to manage. This financial stress threatens the program’s sustainability and highlights the need for comprehensive fee reimbursement mechanisms.
While celebrating the 91% retention achievement, the report also highlights a significant data void regarding the long-term educational trajectories of RTE beneficiaries. Important questions remain unanswered, such as how many RTE students go on to complete secondary and higher secondary education, what their post-12th outcomes look like in terms of higher education enrolment, vocational training, or employment, and how their digital literacy development compares with that of non-RTE students.
The positive outlook among continuing students, with 90% enjoying school and strong peer relationships, suggests that RTE isn’t just retaining students but creating engaged, confident learners ready to contribute to India’s development story.
Establishing robust longitudinal tracking systems to measure RTE’s full educational and socio-economic impact, ensuring that today’s 91% retention becomes tomorrow’s pathway to higher education and meaningful career opportunities.
