Education is the cornerstone of a Viksit Bharat: Invest heavily in it

India must bridge its educational divide to lay a foundation for a truly developed, inclusive and resilient country by 2047

- RAJESH SHUKLA

As India strides toward the vision of a Viksit Bharat or developed India, education emerges as the cornerstone of this transformation. It is not merely a means for individual advancement, but a foundational force that drives economic growth, social progress and national development. Yet, the reality of India's education system is marked by glaring disparities in access and quality, particularly between income groups. These inequities remain one of the most significant barriers to achieving an inclusive and prosperous future. Addressing them is not just a matter of policy priority, but an essential step towards equipping India's population with the tools they need to build a better nation.

Education is the critical dividing line between the middle class and those below. Aspirer households, on the verge of upward mobility, face immense challenges in accessing quality schooling. According to PRICE's ICE 360 Survey, nearly 60% of children from these households drop out before completing higher secondary education, hindered by economic pressures and the substandard quality of schools available to them. In contrast, middle-class families have made education a central pillar of their upward trajectory, with 80% of children completing high school and more than one-third pursuing tertiary education. The transformative power of education is even more pronounced among the wealthy, where 61% achieve tertiary degrees, securing lucrative professional and managerial roles. The disparity in educational attainment starkly illustrates the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality and limit opportunities for millions of Indians.