Secondary education, pupils in India
India: Secondary education, pupils was 133.16 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Secondary education, pupils in India, 1971–2025
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Analysis
In 2025, secondary education, pupils in India stood at 133.16 million.
That represents a change of up 1.3% on the previous year and up 2.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, secondary education, pupils in India peaked at 139.10 million in 2022 and was at its lowest, 21.14 million, in 1971.
India ranks 1st of 206 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Secondary education, pupils in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 21.14 million | — |
| 1972 | 21.96 million | +3.9% |
| 1973 | 22.82 million | +3.9% |
| 1975 | 24.50 million | +7.3% |
| 1976 | 25.20 million | +2.9% |
| 1977 | 26.27 million | +4.2% |
| 1978 | 27.18 million | +3.5% |
| 1980 | 30.59 million | +12.6% |
| 1981 | 32.75 million | +7.0% |
| 1982 | 35.02 million | +6.9% |
| 1983 | 37.92 million | +8.3% |
| 1984 | 40.27 million | +6.2% |
| 1986 | 44.48 million | +10.5% |
| 1987 | 44.87 million | +0.9% |
| 1988 | 45.88 million | +2.2% |
| 1989 | 47.02 million | +2.5% |
| 1993 | 62.25 million | +32.4% |
| 1994 | 64.12 million | +3.0% |
| 1995 | 65.21 million | +1.7% |
| 1996 | 66.63 million | +2.2% |
| 1997 | 68.87 million | +3.4% |
| 1999 | 67.09 million | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 71.03 million | +5.9% |
| 2001 | 72.39 million | +1.9% |
| 2002 | 76.22 million | +5.3% |
| 2003 | 81.05 million | +6.3% |
| 2004 | 84.57 million | +4.3% |
| 2005 | 89.46 million | +5.8% |
| 2006 | 91.53 million | +2.3% |
| 2007 | 96.05 million | +4.9% |
| 2008 | 101.78 million | +6.0% |
| 2009 | 101.11 million | -0.7% |
| 2010 | 107.69 million | +6.5% |
| 2011 | 113.73 million | +5.6% |
| 2012 | 119.15 million | +4.8% |
| 2013 | 119.40 million | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 129.44 million | +8.4% |
| 2015 | 129.54 million | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 132.16 million | +2.0% |
| 2017 | 129.83 million | -1.8% |
| 2018 | 131.76 million | +1.5% |
| 2019 | 130.93 million | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 133.96 million | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 138.51 million | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 139.10 million | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 134.34 million | -3.4% |
| 2024 | 131.51 million | -2.1% |
| 2025 | 133.16 million | +1.3% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 133.16 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 929,099, 143.3× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- India's 133.16 million is above the median for South Asia, which is 3.10 million, 42.9× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Secondary education, pupils in India changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | +32.4% | 47.02 million | 62.25 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 24.15 million | 21.14 million | 27.18 million | 7 |
| 1980s | 39.87 million | 30.59 million | 47.02 million | 9 |
| 1990s | 65.69 million | 62.25 million | 68.87 million | 6 |
| 2000s | 86.52 million | 71.03 million | 101.78 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 124.36 million | 107.69 million | 132.16 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 135.10 million | 131.51 million | 139.10 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
More education data for India
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.31 million (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0862 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is secondary education, pupils in India?
- Secondary education, pupils in India was 133.16 million in 2025, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest secondary education, pupils recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 139.10 million in 2022.
- What is the lowest secondary education, pupils recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.14 million in 1971.
- How does India rank for secondary education, pupils?
- India ranks 1st out of 206 countries with data for 2025.
- Is secondary education, pupils rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Secondary education, pupils. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Secondary education pupils is the total number of pupils enrolled at secondary level in public and private schools.