SRINAGAR: The number of government schools in Jammu and Kashmir increased marginally from 18,785 in 2024-25 to 18,787 in 2025-26, even as the total number of government schools across the country declined by more than 8,000, according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The figures, provided by the Ministry of Education in response to a question on the closure and merger of government schools, show that JK recorded a net increase of two government schools during the period.
In contrast, the national total fell from 10,13,322 schools in 2024-25 to 10,05,245 in 2025-26, a reduction of 8,077 schools.
The data also show a sharp decline in Ladakh, where the number of government schools fell from 812 to 733, a reduction of 79 schools in a year.
The Union Ministry of Education clarified that the opening, closure and rationalisation of government schools are within the purview of the respective State and Union Territory governments, as education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
It said the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 requires governments to ensure access to elementary schools within prescribed neighbourhood norms. All States have notified the relevant area or limits for neighbourhood schools under the Act.
The Ministry said UDISE+ data indicated improvement in access to school education at upper-primary, secondary and higher-secondary levels. The Gross Access Ratio increased between 2018-19 and 2025-26 from 96.49 to 98.14 per cent at upper-primary level, from 88.24 to 95.05 per cent at secondary level and from 65.05 to 94.79 per cent at higher-secondary level.
The Centre said it supports States and UTs through Samagra Shiksha and PM POSHAN, with financial assistance for strengthening school infrastructure, opening and strengthening schools, reducing dropout rates and increasing enrolment.
The support also includes transport and escort facilities, enrolment drives, residential schools and hostels, free textbooks and uniforms, skill education and ICT facilities.
The Ministry further said the PM SHRI scheme aims to develop more than 14,500 selected schools as exemplar institutions showcasing initiatives under the National Education Policy 2020.
