.jpg)
Ashok Gehlot Investigates Rajasthan’s School Enrollment Drop, Accuses BJP Government
After the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2025-26 reported a decline in school enrollment in Rajasthan, a new set of education statistics has caused political disruptions in the state. Ashok Gehlot, the previous Chief Minister of Rajasthan, has asked the BJP-led government, ‘Who is responsible?’ and has accused it of neglecting public education.
According to the latest UDISE+ report, school enrollment in Rajasthan has reduced in the last two academic years by over 8.4 lakh students, and government school enrollment has decreased the most. This data has caused a political dispute between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.
How Does the UDISE+ Report Function?
As per the latest UDISE+ data, Rajasthan has experienced one of the most drastic enrollment declines in the last few years. This decline has been observed mostly in government schools and poses a concern to the retention of students, movement to the private sector, migration, and demographic shifts, in addition to access to public education.
Though the decline in enrollment is reported, the UDISE+ report does not provide a reason. Education specialists note that decline can occur for several reasons, including private school enrollment, government policy, decreasing birth rates, and migration.
Gehlot Accuses BJP Government
Following the report, Ashok Gehlot has claimed the BJP government should answer for the drop in government school admissions. He asked how the education system could lose so many students in the span of just two years and urged the state to explain.
These comments are part of a larger attack on the Bhajan Lal Sharma government and the concerns regarding education in the state by the Congress party.
Congress Wants A Probe
Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra has also targeted the BJP government and called the situation so bad that the drop in admissions requires a detailed investigation. He has called this the “biggest scam” in the state’s education system and has demanded a probe. In Dotasra’s view, the government should answer for the missing students, explain where they have gone and whether the drop has happened due to poor administrative decisions.
The BJP government has not responded to these claims and has not accepted the drop in enrolments is due to a poor administrative decision.
Why Government School Enrolment Is Important
Government schools across Rajasthan, specifically in the rural and economically poor areas, cater to millions of children. A continued drop in enrolments would impact:
- How schools prioritize their funding
- How schools determine staffing, specifically teachers
- The planning of school infrastructure
- The learning results in an area
The planning of school resources also relies on enrolment figures. Changes of this nature are highly scrutinized by government officials.
What Contributes to the Decline?
Though the political debates have intensified, educational analysts warn against making immediate judgements based on enrollment statistics. Examples of what may be responsible for the new enrollment patterns include the following:
- Increased family migration
- Increased shift to private schooling
- Changes to the population and decreased birth rates
- Students are moving to find work with their parents
- School administrative data updates and school mergers
To draw any conclusion on the matters stated above, a detailed analysis from the government, as opposed to the summary of the UDISE+ data, would be required.
Why this is Important
For students, parents, and educators, declining enrollment of government schools poses larger issues regarding the availability of education, the perceived confidence in the government school system, and the potential long-term decline of government-funded schools and education.
Given that Rajasthan is one of the largest Indian states, substantial alterations to existing enrollment patterns will likely affect the planning and development of education in the state.
Final Thoughts
The focus of the latest UDISE+ data is now on the public education system of Rajasthan. While former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has directly condemned the decline of government school enrollment in Rajasthan under the BJP government, the released data does not explain the reasons for the decline. While political statements continue, the education community will, most likely, be looking for a detailed explanation from the government and a policy announcement to explain the decline in enrollment and what attempts will be made to address the issue.
Click Here for More Latest News