Caste and education intersect in multiple ways in India. Data suggest that Scheduled Caste (SC) students have a lower literacy rate than the national average. SC students, on multiple counts, have higher rates of dropout than the national average, although this gap is narrowing over time. This fact sheet gives the main data points relating to literacy and school dropout, and higher education. It also includes the UN data regarding school-based discrimination. It gives the data source and year for each figure, and states where the data are inadequate. The term ‘Dalit’ is defined in our guide on who Dalits are, and legal term ‘Scheduled Castes’ is explained in our guide on Scheduled Castes.
Literacy: the gap in Census data
The Census of India 2011 showed that 66.1% of Scheduled Castes (SCs) were literate, compared to 74.04% for the country as a whole (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), ‘Literacy and Education’ Chapter 3, based on the Census of India 2011). Men of the SC population had a literacy rate of 75.2% and women of the SC population had a literacy rate of 56.5%, compared to 65.46% literacy for women in the country as a whole (MoSPI). The SC literacy rate was 37.2% in 1991, 54.7% in 2001 and 66.1% in 2011 (Education among Scheduled Caste Population in India, ProQuest). The latest Census to show caste wise literacy is that of 2011, thus the data are over 10 years old. Our guide on Dalit women looks at the gender gap in literacy in more detail.
Dalit education in India: school enrolment and dropout
Data is gathered by the Ministry of Education on recognized schools through the UDISE+ system. As per the UDISE+ 2024-25 report, the national dropout rate for primary education was 0.3%, upper primary education was 3.5%, and secondary education (Classes 9 and 10) was 11.5%. For the ‘secondary’ level, which includes classes 9 to 12 as per the National Education Policy (NEP), the dropout rate was reported to be 8.2% (Education for All in India).
According to a March 2026 Lok Sabha response, the dropout rate for the Scheduled Castes in 2024-25 was reported to be 2.83% at the primary level, 6.03% at the upper primary level, and 12.55% at the secondary level (Caste and Reservation, summarizing Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5814, March 30, 2026). As per a review of UDISE+ 2023-24, the gross enrolment ratio of Scheduled Caste students was reported to be 96.8% at the primary level and 57.9% at the higher secondary level (Education for All in India). Our guide on caste reservation in India explains the quotas in higher education.
Caste and higher education
The AISHE report for 2021-22 put the number of Scheduled Caste students at 66.23 lakhs out of an estimated total student enrolment of 4.33 crores, which is 15.3% (Ministry of Education, AISHE 2021-22). The Gross Enrolment Ratio for Scheduled Castes was 25.9 as compared to 28.4 for the total students and has increased from 23.1 the previous year (AISHE 2021-22). The ratio for Scheduled Caste women was 26 (up from 18.1 in 2014-15) (AISHE 2021-22). These ratios are based on estimated population forecasts using the 2011 Census (AISHE). The latest AISHE report may contain updated data.
Discrimination at school
High levels of enrolment and drop out rates do not tell us the reasons for leaving school. Discrimination and segregation in schools is leading to Dalit girls dropping out of school. Enrolment of Dalit girls also goes down as the level of education goes up (UPR India 4th cycle civil society report, 2022). Wikipedia’s article on literacy in India states that discrimination against lower castes leads to high dropout rates and low enrolment rates and cites the example of a Chatham House report (Wikipedia, “Literacy in India”). Advocacy and other secondary sources are summarized in the article. I did not find any official data to measure school discrimination directly. Untouchability still exists in India as shown by survey data (our article), and the constitutional ban on untouchability is outlined in our article on Article 17.
The law and quotas
India’s Right to Education law mandates free and compulsory education for children between 6-14 (MoSPI). For Scheduled Castes quotas in higher education, see our other article on caste reservation in India. Our other article on the Prevention of Atrocities Act, covers the related legislation on caste-based crimes. I did not check the specific provisions of the Right to Education Act on discrimination. Thus, this article does not cover these provisions.
What the data does not show
Most of the data shown is administrative or census data, which has its limitations. UDISE+ covers only recognized schools and not all children. The 2011 census figure is used to calculate ratios for higher education, which relies on population projections from 2011. Data is not disaggregated by sub-castes. It cannot show the reasons for dropout, and definitions of “secondary” in different reports are not consistent, which makes comparisons with different sources difficult. For information about students studying in universities outside India, see our post on caste on campus. For communities who document their own accounts of discrimination, it has become essential in the digital age to have skills in using blogging, AI and email marketing tools. The Ambedkarite Educational Programme is designed to build such skills.
Takeaway
The data shows gaps in Scheduled Caste literacy, which has narrowed but not closed, over the years. In 2011, the census data for Scheduled Castes literacy was 66.1% against the national literacy average of 74.04%, and for Scheduled Caste women, it was 56.5%. Dropout rates for secondary education in 2024-25 was 11.5% against the national average. Based on a summary of a parliamentary answer, it was 12.55% for the Scheduled Castes. For higher education in 2021-22, the gross enrollment ratio for Scheduled Castes was 25.9, against the national average of 28.4. Data for overt school-based discrimination is limited, and other data is old.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the literacy rate of Scheduled Castes in India?
In 2011, the census data for Scheduled Castes literacy was 66.1% against the national literacy average of 74.04%, and for Scheduled Caste women, it was 56.5%.
What is the school dropout rate for Scheduled Caste students?
According to a March 2026 Lok Sabha answer, 12.55 per cent dropout rate at the secondary level in 2024-25 was against 11.5 per cent for all students. Check Lok Sabha document for details.
How many Scheduled Caste students are in higher education?
AISHE 2021-22 reported 66.23 lakh, which is 15.3 per cent of total enrolment. Their gross enrolment ratio was 25.9 against 28.4 for overall student population.
Is there caste discrimination in Indian schools?
Civil society submissions to UN says that caste based discrimination and segregation in schools results in high number of Dalit girls dropping out of school. I could not find any data to support it directly.
Do quotas exist in education?
Yes, quotas exist in higher education. For details, check our article on Caste Reservation in India.
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SOURCES
- MoSPI, “Literacy and Education,” Chapter 3 (citing Census of India 2011)
- ProQuest, “Education among Scheduled Caste Population in India”
- Ministry of Education, All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22
- Ministry of Education, UDISE+ 2024-25 report
- Education for All in India, “State of Dropout, Transition, and Retention Rates based on UDISEPlus 2024-25 Data”
- Education for All in India, “Education of Scheduled Castes in India: A Critical Analysis of UDISEPlus 2023-24 GER”
- Caste and Reservation, “Caste and School Dropout Rates: What the Evidence Measures” (summarising Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 5814)
- IDSN / UPR, UPR India 4th cycle civil society joint submission, 2022
- Wikipedia, “Literacy in India”
