BENGALURU: Karnataka has emerged as the major state with the highest percentage of girls dropping out of school at the secondary level (Classes 9 and 10), surpassing even states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, according to the latest Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report presented by the Union Government in Parliament.
The data has triggered concern among education experts and policymakers as the state, despite its reputation for educational progress and economic development, continues to record a significantly higher dropout rate than the national average.
According to the UDISE+ 2025-26 report, the dropout rate among girls studying in Classes 9 and 10 in Karnataka stands at 13.9 per cent, compared to the national average of 8 per cent. Among the country’s larger states, Karnataka shares the highest dropout rate with Assam, while only the Union Territory of Ladakh records a higher figure at 15.6 per cent.
Although Karnataka has shown gradual improvement over the past three academic years, the pace of progress remains slow compared to several other states. The dropout rate declined from 19.6 per cent in 2023-24 to 14.6 per cent in 2024-25, and further to 13.9 per cent in 2025-26. However, the state continues to remain far above the national average.
The report paints a striking contrast between Karnataka and several other states that have made remarkable gains in retaining girls in secondary education.
Bihar, which had one of the country’s highest dropout rates only a few years ago, reduced the figure dramatically from 25.1 per cent in 2023-24 to 9.1 per cent in 2025-26 through focused interventions aimed at improving school access, enrolment and retention.
Similarly, Uttar Pradesh has brought down its girls’ secondary school dropout rate to 7.3 per cent, placing it below the national average and well ahead of Karnataka.
The comparison with southern states is even more significant.
Kerala continues to perform among the best in the country, recording a girls’ dropout rate of just 3 per cent at the secondary level. Tamil Nadu follows closely with 3.2 per cent, while Haryana has reported 3.8 per cent, highlighting the wide gap between Karnataka and states that have succeeded in keeping girls in school.
Education experts say the secondary stage remains one of the most vulnerable periods for girls’ education.
Economic hardship, early marriage, household responsibilities, migration, inadequate transport facilities, safety concerns and limited access to higher secondary institutions are among the major reasons contributing to students discontinuing their education.
The UDISE+ figures indicate that while enrolment at the elementary level has improved substantially over the years, retaining girls beyond Class 8 continues to pose a significant challenge in several states, including Karnataka.
The data is particularly significant because secondary education plays a crucial role in determining access to higher education, skill development and employment opportunities. A higher dropout rate among girls can have long-term social and economic consequences, including reduced workforce participation, lower income levels and poorer health outcomes.
The findings come at a time when both the Centre and the Karnataka government have been implementing several schemes aimed at improving girls’ education, including scholarships, bicycle distribution, hostel facilities, free textbooks, uniforms and nutrition programmes.
Despite these initiatives, the latest figures suggest that additional targeted interventions may be required to identify students at risk of leaving school and provide timely academic, financial and social support.
Officials believe district-level monitoring, improved counselling services, better transport connectivity in rural areas and stronger community participation could help reduce the dropout rate further.
