SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 1,56,404 teachers from pre-primary to secondary level in 2025-26, down marginally from 1,56,840 in 2023-24, while Ladakh’s teacher strength rose from 6,038 to 6,730 over the same period, according to UDISE+ data presented by the Union Ministry of Education in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The data shows that Jammu and Kashmir’s teacher strength declined by 436, or about 0.3 per cent, between 2023-24 and 2025-26. Ladakh, by contrast, recorded an increase of 692 teachers, or around 11.5 per cent.
Jammu and Kashmir had 1,56,832 teachers in 2024-25, before the figure fell to 1,56,404 in 2025-26. Ladakh’s teacher numbers increased from 6,498 to 6,730 during the same period.
The number of schools in Jammu and Kashmir also remained broadly stable, rising from 24,296 in 2023-24 to 24,228 in 2025-26, a net decline of 68 schools. Ladakh recorded a sharper reduction, with the number of schools falling from 995 to 883, a decrease of 112, or around 11.3 per cent, over the two-year period.
The Ministry said it does not maintain state- or UT-wise data on sanctioned teacher posts, teachers in position against sanctioned posts, vacancies or reasons for vacancies. Such information is maintained by the respective state governments and Union Territory administrations.
According to the Union Government, teacher recruitment is a continuous process undertaken by the respective states and UTs under their recruitment rules and procedures. Vacancies can arise due to retirement, resignation, creation of new posts, increased student enrolment and the establishment of new schools.
The Central Government periodically advises states and UTs to fill vacant posts through transparent and merit-based recruitment processes and reviews recruitment progress through meetings and advisories. It also provides financial assistance under Samagra Shiksha to help maintain appropriate pupil-teacher ratios in accordance with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Nationally, the number of teachers from pre-primary to secondary level increased from 91,55,644 in 2023-24 to 95,74,324 in 2025-26, an increase of about 4.6 per cent. Against this national trend, Jammu and Kashmir recorded a marginal decline, while Ladakh’s teacher strength grew substantially faster than the national rate.
The Ministry said the national pupil-teacher ratio in 2025-26 stood at 10 at the Foundational Stage, 12 at the Preparatory Stage, 17 at the Middle Stage and 21 at the Secondary Stage. It reported ratios of 11, 10, 11 and 14 respectively for Telangana, and 11, 12, 16 and 15 for Andhra Pradesh, all within the norms envisaged under the National Education Policy, 2020.
The Union Government said the NEP 2020 emphasises maintaining a pupil-teacher ratio below 30:1 in each school and below 25:1 in areas with a high proportion of socio-economically disadvantaged students.
On school consolidation, the Ministry said the opening, merger, closure, consolidation and rationalisation of schools fall within the purview of the respective state governments and UT administrations. UDISE+ data showed that the total number of schools in India declined from 14,71,891 in 2023-24 to 14,66,682 in 2025-26, a reduction of 5,209 schools.
Andhra Pradesh recorded 60,843 schools in 2025-26, down from 61,373 in 2023-24, while Telangana’s school count fell from 42,901 to 41,762. The Ministry said financial assistance is provided under Samagra Shiksha for opening and strengthening schools up to the senior secondary level, as well as for school buildings and additional classrooms.
