Photo: Kumaravels derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY 2.5 in · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
India: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
India is placed 44th of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 0.104 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 94.42 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
44th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 0.104Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 94.42Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 65.05Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- —Government Spending on Education, 2023No reading for this country
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place India on education & knowledge — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · India’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.104
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
India: 0.104. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.
- World median
- 3.691
- Best in Southern Asia
- 0.103 Iran
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 5.862 · Bhutan 10.5 · Nepal 2.034 · Pakistan 17.93
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · India’s is from 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0
94.42
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
India: 94.42. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.
- World median
- 85.9
- Best in Southern Asia
- 94.42 India
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 88.4 · Bhutan 42.07 · Myanmar 12.06 · Nepal 80.02 · Pakistan 50.91
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
65.05
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
India: 65.05. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.
- World median
- 64.87
- Best in Southern Asia
- 76.82 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 38.88 · Bhutan 76.82 · China 89.82 · Myanmar 24.38 · Nepal 42.48 · Pakistan 38.95
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
No reading
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
UIS publishes no 2023 figure for India, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.
- World median
- 3.709
- Best in Southern Asia
- 5.845 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 2.162 · Bhutan 5.845 · China 3.897 · Nepal 3.956 · Pakistan 1.947
02Over time
Which way India is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%) · lower is better
IndiaWorld median
India fell from 12.11 in 2000 to 0.104 in 2024; the world median went from 8.642 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2024 0.10 3.691 2023 1.47 3.393 2022 0.15 3.002 2021 2.31 3.330 2020 4.06 2.678 2019 7.37 2.758 2018 6.38 2.439 2017 6.03 2.907 2016 4.11 2.954 2015 — 3.052 2014 — 3.904 2013 0.43 3.413 2012 0.69 3.408 2011 2.73 3.626 2010 1.13 3.491 2009 1.81 3.577 2008 0.42 3.878 2007 0.89 4.029 2006 — 4.338 2005 — 4.571 2004 — 3.791 2003 8.97 4.412 2002 13.99 4.144 2001 13.72 4.051 2000 12.11 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
IndiaWorld median
India rose from 85.19 in 2020 to 94.42 in 2022; the world median went from 88.32 to 87.69.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 — 87.6 2022 94 87.7 2021 89 87.0 2020 85 88.3 2019 — 88.8 2018 — 89.6 2017 — 87.4 2016 — 87.9 2015 — 88.2 2014 — 89.2 2013 — 88.0 2012 — 85.4 2011 — 86.2 2010 — 86.1 2009 — 84.8 2008 — 85.8 2007 — 86.7 2006 — 84.0 2005 — 82.2 2004 — 81.8 2003 — 78.3 2002 — 80.0 2001 — 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
IndiaWorld median
India rose from 25.31 in 2000 to 65.05 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2025 65 64.9 2024 64 65.0 2023 63 64.2 2022 61 63.6 2021 60 62.9 2020 58 62.2 2019 57 61.5 2018 55 60.9 2017 53 60.5 2016 51 60.1 2015 49 58.9 2014 47 57.0 2013 45 54.7 2012 43 52.4 2011 41 50.9 2010 39 49.5 2009 37 48.5 2008 35 47.4 2007 33 46.2 2006 32 45.0 2005 30 43.8 2004 29 42.9 2003 28 41.6 2002 27 40.3 2001 26 39.0 2000 25 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
IndiaWorld median
India fell from 4.325 in 2000 to 4.099 in 2022; the world median went from 3.886 to 4.057.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2023 — 3.7092 2022 4.099 4.0570 2021 4.629 4.2611 2020 4.293 4.4056 2019 3.897 4.1407 2018 4.364 4.2159 2017 4.305 4.1401 2016 4.254 4.2342 2015 4.115 4.2386 2014 3.899 4.2005 2013 3.845 4.3493 2012 3.868 4.0348 2011 3.796 3.9987 2010 3.378 4.1396 2009 3.278 4.6638 2008 — 4.4226 2007 — 4.1717 2006 3.143 4.0593 2005 3.189 4.0557 2004 3.353 3.9745 2003 3.613 4.1595 2002 — 4.0173 2001 — 4.1002 2000 4.325 3.8861
03In context
India beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.
India and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Out-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%) | Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) | Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%) | Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 44th | 0.104 | 94.42 | 65.05 | — |
 Chinacompare | 51st | — | — | 89.82 | 3.897 |
 Nepalcompare | 111th | 2.034 | 80.02 | 42.48 | 3.956 |
 Bhutan | 120th | 10.5 | 42.07 | 76.82 | 5.845 |
 Bangladeshcompare | 150th | 5.862 | 88.4 | 38.88 | 2.162 |
 Pakistancompare | =176th | 17.93 | 50.91 | 38.95 | 1.947 |
 Myanmar | 192nd | — | 12.06 | 24.38 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on education & knowledge
The countries immediately above and below India in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where India is ahead of the world, and behind
31 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median2
Statistics on which India does better than the middle country measured.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.720.529No earlier reading
India: 0.72 · world median 0.529 · Adjusted wealth parity index, lower secondary completion (poorest vs richest fifth; 1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.032 to 1.022; higher is better.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2190.5189.21▲ Improved since 2015
India: 90.51 · world median 89.21 · Lower secondary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13.73 to 100; higher is better.
Position 77th of 164 · derived.
Behind the world median23
Statistics on which India does worse than the middle country measured.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.0541.244▼ Worsened since 2014
India: 1.054 · world median 1.244 · Adjusted gender parity index, tertiary gross enrolment (1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.74 to 1.83; higher is better.
Position 8th of 95 · derived.
Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.6691.7393.66▲ Improved since 2017
India: 91.73 · world median 93.66 · Primary teachers with the minimum qualifications their country requires (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4396.5397.43▲ Improved since 2015
India: 96.53 · world median 97.43 · Primary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.94 to 100; higher is better.
Position 90th of 165 · derived.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2297.3498.22No earlier reading
India: 97.34 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9356.6965.93▲ Improved since 2020
India: 56.69 · world median 65.93 · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.779 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 70th of 120 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3412.9513.34▲ Improved since 2013
India: 12.95 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 115th of 195 · derived.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9417.1027.941▲ Improved since 2017
India: 7.102 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.
Position 102nd of 172 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32399414.32▲ Improved since 2017
India: 399 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.
Position 103rd of 172 · derived.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8614.8819.86▲ Improved since 2016
India: 14.88 · world median 19.86 · Adults 25+ who completed a bachelor's degree or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.135 to 52.72; higher is better.
Position 57th of 90 · derived.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0256.0734.02No earlier reading
India: 56.07 · world median 34.02 · 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple text (%). World Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.331 to 98.5; lower is better.
Position 45th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.95259.26701.95No earlier reading
India: 259.26 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 96th of 145 · derived.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7734.4252.77▼ Worsened since 2014
India: 34.42 · world median 52.77 · Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.566 to 141.86; higher is better.
Position 64th of 95 · derived.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6728.8320.67▲ Improved since 2016
India: 28.83 · world median 20.67 · Primary pupils per qualified teacher (headcount basis). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 8.244 to 284.7; lower is better.
Position 31st of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5913.3714.59▲ Improved since 2014
India: 13.37 · world median 14.59 · School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.478 to 21.01; higher is better.
Position 56th of 77 · derived.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.34315.066.343▼ Worsened since 2020
India: 15.06 · world median 6.343 · Out-of-school rate, lower secondary age (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.011 to 79.71; lower is better.
Position 32nd of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9978.1693.99No earlier reading
India: 78.16 · world median 93.99 · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 126th of 172 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9336.889.933▲ Improved since 2013
India: 6.88 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 143rd of 193 · derived.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7641.3465.76No real change since 2018
India: 41.34 · world median 65.76 · Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.26 to 97.89; higher is better.
Position 71st of 95 · derived.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10089.28100▲ Improved since 2016
India: 89.28 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.6643.4698.66▲ Improved since 2019
India: 43.46 · world median 98.66 · Primary schools with internet access for teaching (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.1978.1193.19▼ Worsened since 2014
India: 78.11 · world median 93.19 · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19.87 to 158.55; higher is better.
Position 89th of 109 · derived.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.5550.446No earlier reading
India: 0.555 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.
Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.
Position 22nd of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.1360.619▼ Worsened since 2015
India: 0.136 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.
Position 154th of 176 · derived.
No better end6
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,240317,5342,240No real change since 2022
India: 317,534 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Female Share of STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.344.1335.3Moved since 2014
India: 44.13 · world median 35.3 · STEM graduates who are women (%; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.333 to 55.96.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3551.9834.35Moved since 2018
India: 51.98 · world median 34.35 · People aged 15+ who trust scientists in their country 'a lot' (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 9.335 to 72.35.
Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 292No earlier reading
India: 9 · world median 2 · Laureates born in the country, 1901 to date (people). Nobel Prize Outreach, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 296.
Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6013.8965.601Moved since 2014
India: 3.896 · world median 5.601 · Tertiary graduates from ICT programmes (% of all graduates). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 17.19.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2791.9495.279Moved since 2013
India: 1.949 · world median 5.279 · Outbound mobility ratio, tertiary (% of tertiary enrolment at home). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.333 to 1,724.
No current reading for India
Female Share of Researchers, Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2021), Government Spending on Education (last 2022), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2023), Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2022), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance and Research and Development Spending (last 2020). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Education & Knowledge among India’s 15 topics
Education & Knowledge is India’s 3rd best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Digital & Technology5th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade15th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge44th of 1983/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 44th of 1593/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions73rd of 1944/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability85th of 1864/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation86th of 1764/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 99th of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital114th of 1963/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 119th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture111th of 1842/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing150th of 2003/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 140th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality154th of 1834/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience182nd of 1934/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders India can most readily be measured against.
1
United Arab EmiratesWestern Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
GreeceSouthern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
PolandEastern Europe
3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
Moldova7th4/4 keysHighest in Asia
United Arab Emirates1st2/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
India44th3/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about India and education & knowledge
08Questions
India on education & knowledge: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does India rank on education & knowledge?
India is placed 44th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary and Upper Secondary Completion Rate). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for India?
0.104 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.
What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for India?
94.42 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.
How does India compare with China on education & knowledge?
China is placed 51st of 198, and India 44th. Upper Secondary Completion Rate: China 89.82, India 65.05.
How have India’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 12.11 in 2000 to 0.104 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 85.19 in 2020 to 94.42 in 2022; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 25.31 in 2000 to 65.05 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 4.325 in 2000 to 4.099 in 2022.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for India?
No current reading is published for India on Female Share of Researchers, Government Funding per Primary Student, Government Spending on Education, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance and Research and Development Spending. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.
How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The education & knowledge method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Spending on Education — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 31 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
India’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- India (banner) — Kumaravels derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY 2.5 in
- United Arab Emirates — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greece — User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Poland — Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). India: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/india/education