New Delhi: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has unveiled the Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education (CMS:E), 2025, a landmark study shedding light on the state of school education across India. Conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) as part of the 80th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS), this survey provides an in-depth look at expenditure patterns, enrolment trends, private coaching prevalence, and funding sources for students in both rural and urban areas. As India strives to enhance its education system under national and global frameworks, these findings offer critical data for policymakers, educators, and families.
A Robust Survey by the National Statistics Office
The CMS:E, 2025, was executed under the aegis of the NSS, a well-established program under MoSPI responsible for conducting large-scale sample surveys across diverse sectors. The 80th round specifically focused on collecting expenditure-related information from households with students enrolled in school education, covering all levels from primary to higher secondary and all types of institutions—government, private, and aided. By employing stratified random sampling, the NSS ensures representative data from various regions, socio-economic groups, and urban-rural divides, making the CMS:E a reliable resource for understanding educational dynamics.
The NSS, a cornerstone of India’s statistical framework, is renowned for surveys like the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), and Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES). These efforts provide empirical data that shape national policies on employment, consumption, and industrial growth. The inclusion of the CMS:E in the 80th round underscores MoSPI’s commitment to addressing education as a critical pillar of development, aligning with goals like Sustainable Development Goal 4 for inclusive and equitable education.
Government Schools: The Backbone of Indian Education
One of the standout findings of the CMS:E is the dominant role of government schools in India’s education system. The survey reveals that government schools account for 55.9% of total enrolments across all levels of school education. This figure highlights the government’s success in providing accessible education, particularly through initiatives like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, which emphasize universal education.
The reliance on government schools is particularly pronounced in rural areas, where they constitute 66% of enrolments. In contrast, urban areas show a lower dependence, with only 30.1% of students enrolled in government schools. This urban-rural disparity reflects differing socio-economic realities. In rural India, government schools are often the only viable option due to affordability, proximity, and incentives like the Mid-Day Meal Scheme or free textbooks. Urban families, with access to higher incomes and a wider array of private institutions, may opt for private schools perceived to offer superior facilities or curricula.
This data underscores the need for continued investment in rural government schools to maintain their pivotal role while addressing urban preferences for private education. Enhancing infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum quality in public schools could narrow the gap, ensuring equitable access to quality education nationwide.
Expenditure on Education: Rural-Urban Divide
The CMS:E provides critical insights into the financial burden of school education on Indian households. In rural areas, the average expenditure per student across all levels and types of schools is estimated at ₹8,382. This figure covers tuition fees, books, uniforms, transportation, and other ancillary costs. In urban areas, however, the average expenditure is significantly higher at ₹23,470 per student—nearly three times the rural amount.
This stark contrast highlights the economic disparities between rural and urban India. In rural households, where incomes are typically lower, the ₹8,382 expenditure can strain budgets, potentially forcing families to prioritize education over other essentials like healthcare or nutrition. Urban families, while benefiting from higher earning potential, face challenges from rising costs of private schooling, coaching classes, and advanced learning materials. The survey’s comprehensive approach, covering all school types and levels, ensures these figures reflect the true cost of education across diverse contexts.
These findings call for targeted interventions, such as subsidies for low-income families or fee regulations in private schools, to make education more affordable. Policymakers can leverage this data to allocate resources effectively, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to quality education.
Private Coaching: A Growing Trend
The CMS:E also highlights the increasing reliance on private coaching among Indian students. Approximately 27% of students reported taking or having taken private coaching during the current academic year. This trend is more prevalent in urban areas, where 30.7% of students engage in coaching, compared to 25.5% in rural areas.
The popularity of private coaching reflects the competitive nature of India’s education system, where students prepare for high-stakes entrance exams for higher education or professional courses. Urban students, facing greater pressure to excel in subjects like mathematics, science, or English, are more likely to enroll in coaching centers offering specialized training. In rural areas, limited access to quality coaching facilities and lower disposable incomes may contribute to the slightly lower rate of 25.5%.
This reliance on private coaching raises concerns about the adequacy of formal schooling. If nearly a third of students seek supplementary education, it suggests gaps in school curricula or teaching methods. The CMS:E encourages discussions on integrating remedial support within schools, such as after-school tutorials or exam preparation programs, to reduce dependence on external coaching and make education more equitable.
Funding Education: Household Reliance vs. Government Support
The survey reveals a striking dependence on household funding for education, with 95% of students reporting that their educational expenses are covered by other family members. This trend underscores the cultural emphasis on education as a family priority, with parents, siblings, or extended relatives pooling resources to support a child’s schooling. However, this heavy reliance on household funds exposes vulnerabilities, particularly in low-income families where unexpected expenses could disrupt education.
In contrast, only 1.2% of students identified government scholarships as their primary source of funding for school education. This low figure is surprising, given the existence of schemes like the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship and various state-level aids. Factors such as complex application processes, lack of awareness, or insufficient scholarship amounts may limit their uptake. The CMS:E highlights the need to streamline and expand scholarship programs, perhaps through digital platforms or community outreach, to ensure broader access for deserving students.
Implications for India’s Education Policy
The CMS:E, 2025, provides a wealth of data to inform India’s education policy. The dominance of government schools (55.9% overall, 66% rural, 30.1% urban) underscores their critical role in achieving universal education. However, the expenditure gap (₹8,382 rural vs. ₹23,470 urban) calls for region-specific interventions to make education affordable. The prevalence of private coaching (27% overall, 30.7% urban, 25.5% rural) suggests a need for curriculum enhancements to reduce reliance on external support. Finally, the 95% household funding versus 1.2% scholarship reliance signals an opportunity to strengthen financial aid mechanisms.
As India progresses toward its educational goals, the CMS:E serves as a roadmap for addressing disparities and enhancing access. By investing in government schools, regulating private education costs, and expanding scholarships, policymakers can ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Conclusion
The Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education (CMS:E), 2025, conducted by MoSPI’s National Statistics Office as part of the NSS 80th round, offers a comprehensive view of school education in India. From government schools’ pivotal role to expenditure disparities, private coaching trends, and funding challenges, the survey captures the complexities of the education system.
FAQs
1. What is the Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education (CMS:E), 2025, and who conducted it?
The CMS:E, 2025, is a detailed survey conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) as part of the 80th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS). It focuses on expenditure-related information for households with students enrolled in school education, covering all levels (primary to higher secondary) and all types of schools (government, private, and aided) across India.
2. What are the key findings regarding school enrolments in the CMS:E, 2025?
The survey highlights that government schools account for 55.9% of total school enrolments in India. This figure is higher in rural areas, where 66% of students are enrolled in government schools, compared to 30.1% in urban areas, reflecting a stronger reliance on public education in rural regions and a preference for private schools in urban settings.
3. How does the average expenditure on school education vary between rural and urban areas?
According to the CMS:E, 2025, the average expenditure per student on school education is ₹8,382 in rural India and ₹23,470 in urban India. This significant gap, with urban costs nearly three times higher, covers tuition fees, books, uniforms, transportation, and other expenses across all school types and levels.
4. What does the survey say about the prevalence of private coaching among students?
The CMS:E reveals that 27% of students were taking or had taken private coaching during the current academic year. This trend is more common in urban areas (30.7%) than in rural areas (25.5%), indicating a higher dependence on supplementary education in cities, likely due to competitive exam pressures.
5. How are educational expenses funded according to the CMS:E, 2025?
The survey shows that 95% of students’ educational expenses are funded by other household members, highlighting a heavy reliance on family resources. Only 1.2% of students reported government scholarships as their primary funding source, suggesting limited access to or awareness of such financial aid programs.
