New Delhi: In a significant step toward advancing child rights and well-being, the Indian government has unveiled the latest edition of a crucial statistical compilation focusing on the nation’s youngest citizens. This detailed examination draws from official sources to highlight progress and ongoing challenges in areas like infant survival, school retention, early unions, and family placements. As India continues its journey toward sustainable development, this document serves as a vital tool for policymakers, educators, and advocates. Released amid growing global attention on child issues, it underscores the country’s commitment to evidence-driven reforms.
Background and Release of the Children in India 2025 Report
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) officially launched the fourth installment of the “Children in India 2025” report on September 25, 2025. This event took place during the 29th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations (CoCSSO) held in Chandigarh. Posted by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi at 4:46 PM on that day, the announcement emphasized the report’s role in providing a thorough overview of children’s status across multiple domains.
MoSPI has been producing this ad-hoc publication since 2008, with the 2025 version marking the fourth in the series. It compiles secondary data from various government ministries, departments, and organizations to offer in-depth analysis. The primary aim is to inform policies and interventions that enhance children’s lives, ensuring their rights are protected. Covering aspects such as education, health, nutrition, and child protection, the report acts as a benchmark for tracking improvements.
This edition introduces several innovations to improve usability and depth. An expert committee was formed, including representatives from relevant ministries, departments, and demography specialists. Their input led to expansions in scope, identification of new data sources, and enhancements in design and presentation. The structure has been revamped into a chapter-by-chapter format, with dedicated data tables integrated into each section for easy reference.
The report is organized into seven key chapters: Overview, Population and Vital Statistics, Health & Nutrition, Education & Development, Crimes Involving Children and Child Protection, Policy & Legal Framework, and Sustainable Development Goals related to Children. To facilitate access to raw data, QR codes are embedded throughout, linking to detailed Excel-format tables. New additions include indicators on causes of death among children, adoption figures, overall state performance comparisons, and children’s usage of mobile and other devices.
Available for free download on the MoSPI website, this resource promotes transparency and encourages public engagement with child welfare data. By focusing on these elements, the report not only documents current realities but also guides future strategies to address disparities.
Key Health and Mortality Indicators
One of the standout areas in the report is health metrics, which reveal encouraging downward trends in mortality rates. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), defined as the number of deaths of children under one year per 1,000 live births in a given year, has dropped significantly from 44 in 2011 to 25 in 2023. At the national level for 2023, the IMR stands at 25, showing an improvement from 26 in 2022. Breaking it down by gender and residence, males have an IMR of 26, while females are at 25, indicating a slight but narrowing gap.
Data from major Indian states in 2023 further illustrates this progress, sourced from the Sample Registration System (SRS) under the Office of the Registrar General of India (O/o RGI), Ministry of Home Affairs. Rural areas generally show higher rates, but the overall decline points to better healthcare access and interventions.
Similarly, the Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR), which measures the probability of a child dying before age five per 1,000 live births, has decreased from 30 in 2022 to 29 in 2023. This metric varies by location, with rural areas at 33 and urban at 20, highlighting persistent urban-rural divides in child healthcare infrastructure. The SRS Statistical Report 2023 confirms these figures, emphasizing the need for targeted rural improvements.
Birth rates also reflect demographic shifts. In 2023, the national birth rate is 18.4 per 1,000 population, down from previous years. Rural areas report 20.3, while urban stands at 14.9, as per SRS data from O/o RGI, Ministry of Home Affairs. These trends suggest evolving family planning practices and urbanization influences.
Advancements in Education and Dropout Reduction
Education statistics in the report demonstrate substantial gains in retention and equity. Dropout rates across various levels have seen sharp declines from 2022-23 to 2024-25. At the preparatory stage, the rate plummeted from 8.7% to 2.3%, with reductions observed for both males and females. The middle level dropped from 8.1% to 3.5%, and the secondary level decreased from 13.8% to 8.2%. These improvements, sourced from UDISE+ under the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, indicate stronger efforts in student engagement and support systems.
Overall, the data signals progress in keeping children in school, which is crucial for long-term development and breaking cycles of poverty.
Achieving Gender Parity in Education
Gender equality in education is another highlight, measured through the Gender Parity Index (GPI) based on Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER). This index, unaffected by population age structures, provides a clear view of equity. For 2024-25, parity has been achieved across all education stages at the national level, with the secondary level reaching the highest GPI of 1.1. This means more girls than boys are enrolled at secondary education, challenging traditional stereotypes.
Data from states and union territories, via UDISE+, shows this national achievement stems from widespread initiatives. Gender gaps in education impact career opportunities and societal norms, making these gains vital for fostering equality in work and life prospects.
Trends in Child Marriage and Protection
Child marriage remains a concern, but the report notes reductions. The percentage of women aged 20-24 who married before age 18 fell from 26.8% in 2015-16 to 23.3% in 2019-21. This progress, while positive, underscores the need for continued vigilance in vulnerable regions.
Complementing this, a separate report from ‘Just Rights for Children’—a coalition of over 250 NGOs—titled “Tipping Point to Zero: Evidence Towards a Child Marriage Free India” reveals even more dramatic declines. Released during a side event at the UN General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2025, it reports a 69% drop in child marriages among girls and 72% among boys over recent years.
State-wise, Assam leads with an 84% decline for girls, followed by Maharashtra and Bihar at 70% each, Rajasthan at 66%, and Karnataka at 55%. The report credits arrests and FIRs as key deterrents, alongside coordinated efforts by the Government of India, state governments, and civil society organizations.
Awareness has surged, with 99% of respondents having seen or heard about the Government of India’s Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign, mainly through NGO efforts, schools, and panchayats. As recently as 2019-21, three children were married every minute, yet only three cases were reported daily. Today, legal awareness is nearly universal, marking a transformative shift.
Reporting comfort levels are high: 63% feel “very comfortable” reporting child marriages, and 33% “somewhat comfortable.” The study, based on data from 757 villages across five states selected via multistage stratified random sampling, involved frontline workers like ASHA, anganwadi staff, teachers, auxiliary nurse midwives, and Panchayat Raj Institution members.
Barriers to girls’ education include poverty (88%), lack of infrastructure (47%), safety concerns (42%), and transportation issues (24%). In 31% of surveyed villages, all girls aged 6-18 attend school, but disparities exist—Bihar at 9%, Maharashtra at 51%. Reasons for child marriage mirror these: poverty (91%), safety for minors (44%), and cultural traditions.
Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder of Just Rights for Children, stated at the launch: “India is on the verge of ending child marriage, transcending the fulfilment of a Sustainable Development Goal to prove to the world that its end is both possible and inevitable.”
Adoption Statistics and Gender Preferences
Adoption figures show growth, with total adoptions rising from 3,927 in 2017-18 to 4,515 in 2024-25. In-country adoptions numbered 4,155 in 2024-25, comprising 2,336 females and 1,819 males. Inter-country adoptions range from 360 to 653 annually. This data suggests a preference for adopting females, evident in both domestic and international cases.
Objectives and Broader Implications
The “Children in India 2025” report aims to update indicators on child well-being, support evidence-based policies, monitor SDG progress, and boost data accessibility. By including new elements like digital device usage and state comparisons, it provides a more holistic view.
In summary, these findings paint a picture of advancement amid challenges. Declining mortality and marriage rates, improved education retention, and heightened awareness signal India’s momentum toward a child-friendly future. However, rural-urban gaps and socioeconomic barriers demand sustained action. As global eyes turn to such reports, they reinforce the urgency of investing in children’s health, education, and protection for a prosperous nation.
FAQs
1. What is the Children in India 2025 Report, and who published it?
The Children in India 2025 Report is the fourth edition of a biennial publication by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India. Released on September 25, 2025, during the 29th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations in Chandigarh, it provides a comprehensive analysis of children’s well-being across health, education, nutrition, child protection, and more, using secondary data from various government sources to guide evidence-based policies.
2. What are the key health improvements highlighted in the report?
The report notes significant declines in mortality rates. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) decreased from 44 in 2011 to 25 per 1,000 live births in 2023, with males at 26 and females at 25. The Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) dropped from 30 in 2022 to 29 in 2023, with rural areas at 33 and urban at 20. Additionally, the national birth rate in 2023 was 18.4 per 1,000 population, with rural areas at 20.3 and urban at 14.9.
3. How has education access and retention improved according to the report?
Dropout rates have significantly decreased from 2022-23 to 2024-25: preparatory stage from 8.7% to 2.3%, middle level from 8.1% to 3.5%, and secondary level from 13.8% to 8.2%. The Gender Parity Index (GPI) shows parity across all education stages in 2024-25, with the secondary level at 1.1, indicating higher female enrollment, based on data from UDISE+, Department of School Education & Literacy.
4. What progress has been made in reducing child marriage in India?
The report indicates a decline in child marriage, with the percentage of women aged 20-24 married before age 18 dropping from 26.8% (2015-16) to 23.3% (2019-21). A related report by Just Rights for Children notes a 69% decline for girls and 72% for boys, with Assam leading at an 84% reduction. Awareness of laws is near universal, and 99% of respondents are aware of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign, with 63% feeling very comfortable reporting such cases.
5. What are the adoption trends highlighted in the report?
Total adoptions increased from 3,927 in 2017-18 to 4,515 in 2024-25. In 2024-25, in-country adoptions totaled 4,155 (2,336 females, 1,819 males), while inter-country adoptions ranged from 360 to 653 annually. The data suggests a preference for adopting female children, evident in both domestic and international adoptions.
