India, July 8 -- School enrolments increased by 287,086 students in 2025-26, a marginal rise that came after three straight years of declines, though the number plunged between classes 3 and 8, central government data showed.

Total enrolments increased 0.12% - from 246.9 million in 2024-25 to 247.2 million in 2025-26, data from the education ministry's United District Information System for Education (UDISE+) showed.

covering pre-primary to Class 2, added more than 1.23 million students compared to the number in 2024-25. However, the preparatory stage, from classes 3 to 5 lost 2.83 million students and middle stage enrolment (Classes 6-8) shed 453,676 students. The secondary stage (classes 9 to 12) grew by 2.34 million students.

The in...