Aug 27, 2025
Nearly one-third of school students in the country are supplementing classroom teaching with private coaching, a trend more pronounced in urban regions than rural ones.
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While government schools continue to account for the majority of enrolments, the findings point to rising household expenditure on education, particularly in cities, raising important questions about access, affordability, and the growing reliance on parallel learning systems.
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Source: Comprehensive Modular Survey (CMS) on Education, part of 80th National Sample Survey (NSS) Round Data from 52,000+ households and 57,000+ students
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55.9% of all school enrolments Rural areas: 66% enrolment in govt. schools Urban areas: 30.1%
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27% of all students take private coaching in the current academic year Urban: 30.7% Rural: 25.5%
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Urban households spend ₹3,988 per student annually on private coaching, more than double the ₹1,793 spent by rural families.
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95% students are funded by household members Only 1.2% rely primarily on the government scholarships
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Highest expenditure per student during the current academic year — 1. Course fees (₹7,111) 2. Textbooks & stationery (₹2,002)
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The urban households are paying significantly more across all categories. Notably, the average expenditure on course fees in urban areas was estimated at Rs 15,143, whereas it was estimated at Rs 3,979 in rural areas. This trend of higher expenditure in urban areas is also evident for other types of education-related expenses like transportation, uniforms, and textbooks.
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The survey underscores the dual reality of India’s education landscape: government schools remain the backbone of enrolment, especially in rural areas, yet families across socioeconomic backgrounds are increasingly turning to private coaching to bridge perceived gaps in quality or competitiveness.
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With household members bearing the overwhelming share of education costs and government support playing only a marginal role, the data suggest that coaching is no longer a luxury but a widely accepted practice.
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This shift may reflect both ambition and systemic shortcomings, signaling the need for a closer look at how policy can balance equity with rising educational aspirations.
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