Big changes are happening in classrooms across Jammu and Kashmir — and honestly, it feels like a full-on education glow-up.
According to the latest Economic Survey 2025–26 released by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the region’s school education system is evolving fast, powered by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The focus? Better access, stronger inclusion, smarter classrooms, and real opportunities for every student.
Let’s break it down.
From Low Literacy to Learning Revolution
Back in 1961, literacy in J&K stood at just 11%. Today, it has climbed to nearly 69% — and it’s still rising.
During 2024–25 alone, the UT operated 24,137 schools (18,724 government and 5,413 under other managements), welcoming over 26.17 lakh students from pre-primary to Class XII. That’s millions of young minds shaping their futures through education.
Even better? Girls are absolutely owning it.
Female enrolment now beats overall averages across key levels, Overall averages at 114.5 at primary, 80.0 at upper primary, and 67.5 at secondary levels in 2024–25, reflecting the success of initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao.
Fewer Dropouts, More Dreamers
One of the biggest wins? Dropout rates are crashing.
- Primary: just 1.5%
- Upper primary: 3.2%
- Secondary: 12.9%
Meanwhile, transition rates between school stages are hitting impressive highs, meaning more students are staying in the system and moving forward. Access to schooling now exceeds 98%, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Translation: fewer kids are falling behind — and more are moving ahead.
Smarter Schools, Digital Classrooms
Education today isn’t just about blackboards — it’s about bandwidth too.
Across J&K:
- Over 90% of schools have electricity
- Libraries are available in 75% of schools
- Nearly 40% have computers
- Almost half now offer internet access
Plus, 3,008 ICT labs are already functional, with thousands more smart classrooms and digital labs coming soon.
The government also completed over 2,700 infrastructure projects across two years, giving students safer, modern learning spaces.
Jammu & Kashmir Government Programs Making Real Moves
Several national education missions are powering this upgrade, including
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan,
PM POSHAN,
PM-SHRI, and
ULLAS.
Here’s what that looks like in real numbers:
- 1.85 lakh kids enrolled in government pre-primary classes
- 1.54 lakh students gaining skills through vocational education in 1,350 schools
- 396 schools being upgraded into model institutions
- 746 school complexes created to share resources smartly
- 13,804 AAYAs supporting kindergarten expansion
Add to that AI-powered monitoring via Vidya Samiksha Kendra — yes, chatbots and digital studios are now part of the system.
Welcome to Education 2.0.
JK e-Pathshala: Learning Comes to Your Living Room
To make sure no student gets left behind, especially in remote areas, J&K is launching JK e-Pathshala — a free TV channel streaming curriculum-based lessons in local languages.
No internet? No problem. Education will now reach homes directly.
Jammu & Kashmir’s education system is no longer playing catch-up — it’s stepping into the future.
With rising enrolment, falling dropout rates, digital classrooms, vocational skills, and inclusive policies, the UT is building a generation that’s smarter, stronger, and future-ready.
For Millennials and Gen Z growing up here, this transformation means more opportunities, better learning, and a clearer path toward success.
Education in J&K isn’t just changing — it’s leveling up.
