In the age group of 15-29, 51.7 percent of females are not currently involved in any education, employment, or training. Among males, this percentage is a much lower 15.4%, indicating the recently-released Multiple Indicator Survey in India reports on the basis of the 78th National Sample Survey led by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

In rural areas, 25.6 percent of respondents in the 15-35 age group were in some state of education or training; in urban areas, 29.6 percent were in formal/non-formal education or training. The survey was carried out in the month of January 2020 and August 2021 among 2,76,409 households (1,64,529 rural & 1,11,880 urban).

The survey report has determined formal education at educational institutions and technical, professional, and vocational courses/programmes delivered by schools, colleges, universities, or other training institutions. Non-formal education is obtained via total literacy campaigns (TLC), adult education centres (AEC), and similar programmes.

NSSO Data: Formal education

The NSSO data reveals that 47.9 percent of people in the age group of 15-24 years, the most increased amongst all the age groups, were engaged in formal and non-formal education when the survey was carried out. The plurality of urban respondents was engaged in formal and non-formal training in contrast to their rural partners.

The table below displays percentages of individuals engaged in formal and non-formal education and training:

Engaged in education (%)

The 78th round of NSS also emphasizes that rarer women are engaged in education and training across states. 44.5 percent of women between the age group of 15-24 years are engaged in formal and non-formal education and training, whereas, among men, 51 percent are so involved.

In the age group of 15-35 years, 29.2 percent of males and 24.3 percent of females are engaged in education and training.

The table below shows the percentage of the men and women populations engaged in education.

Men and Women engaged in education and training percentage:

The survey report also reveals that 30.2 percent of 15-24 year-olds in rural areas and nearly 27 percent of that population in urban areas were informed to be “not engaged in education, employment or training” (NEET) as of the date of the survey till August 15, 2021. This information indicates decreasing participation in secondary education and higher education.

Within the age group of 15-29 years, the size of not engaged in education, employment, or training group only increased – 33 percent in rural and 32.6 percent in urban areas were seen to be not in education, employment, or training.

Not in education, employment, or training percentage

The survey report illustrates that 43.8 percent of the women and 16.1 percent of the men population in the age group of 15-24 years were not engaged in any education, employment, or training.

Not in education, employment, or training (%)