In a remarkable shift that challenges long-standing national trends, Delhi has achieved near-perfect gender parity — and more — in school education. According to the Delhi Economic Survey 2025-26, girls are now enrolling in higher numbers than boys at every stage, from primary to higher secondary. This reversal highlights the success of sustained government focus on girls’ education while raising important questions about boys’ participation, especially at higher levels.
Delhi’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) significantly outperforms the national average by over 10 percentage points at most levels, reflecting improved access, awareness, and infrastructure in the national capital.
Key Enrolment Highlights from Delhi Economic Survey 2025-26
- Primary Level: Girls GER stands at 107.2 compared to boys at 97.4 (combined GER: 101.8 vs national 90.9).
- Upper Primary Level: Girls GER at 122, boys at 113.1 (combined: 117.3 vs national 90.3).
- Secondary Level: Girls GER at 104.7, boys at 98.
- Higher Secondary Level: Girls GER at 87.2, boys at 78.7.
Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) further strengthens the picture of girls’ strong participation:
- Primary: Girls 100 (near-universal enrolment), boys 90.5.
- Secondary: Girls 82.5, boys 72.5.
- Higher Secondary: Girls 68.8, boys 58.8.
These figures demonstrate consistent female leadership in enrolment, with the gap widening at higher stages — reaching nearly 9–10 percentage points in several categories.
Gender Parity in Delhi Schools: A Historic Reversal
Unlike the national pattern where boys traditionally outnumber girls in enrolment, Delhi has flipped the script. Girls now enjoy higher Gross Enrolment Ratio and Net Enrolment Ratio across primary, upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels. This achievement signals effective implementation of targeted interventions, increased parental awareness, and better retention of girls in the education system.
Delhi’s overall attendance rates also remain higher than the national average, based on National Sample Survey data. Government schools continue to play a dominant role, accounting for a significant share of total enrolments.
Performance Trends and Learning Outcomes
While enrolment paints a positive picture, student learning outcomes show a mixed trend:
- In Class 3, Delhi students score below the national average in both language and mathematics.
- By Class 9, Delhi students perform above the national average across assessed subjects.
This suggests that while access has improved dramatically, quality and foundational learning at early stages need continued attention.
Analysis: What’s Driving Delhi’s Education Success?
The Delhi Economic Survey 2025-26 underscores several underlying factors behind this impressive performance:
- Strong public investment in education, with spending witnessing substantial growth over the past decade.
- Focused efforts on girls’ education through scholarships, safety measures, awareness campaigns, and inclusive infrastructure.
- Expansion of government school capacity and improved access in urban settings.
However, the survey also flags concerns. The lower enrolment and NER for boys — particularly the widening gap at higher secondary level — raises questions about potential dropout pressures, economic factors, or shifting priorities among male students. Retaining students beyond Class 8 remains a broader national challenge, and Delhi is no exception despite its strong numbers.
Delhi’s GER being consistently 10+ points above national averages positions the capital as a leader in school education access. Yet sustaining this momentum will require addressing learning gaps at primary levels and ensuring boys do not fall behind.
