Classroom to Crisis: India’s Education Paradox
India’s education system presents a fascinating yet troubling paradox. With a rich tapestry of ancient wisdom, well-established educational infrastructure, and forward-thinking policies, the nation still struggles with deep-seated issues like illiteracy, subpar learning outcomes, and an alarming rise in educated unemployment. This article delves into the evolution of Indian education, tracing its roots from the Gurukul system to the dynamic digital age. This article highlights significant milestones and pivotal reforms such as the Right to Education Act (2009) and the National Education Policy (2020).
Despite a plethora of governing bodies, initiatives like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and Atal Innovation Mission, and a thriving edtech sector, the reality on the ground paints a starkly different picture. Millions of students are still denied access to quality education, suffer from inadequate infrastructure, lack trained educators, and face disparities in opportunity.
Disturbing statistics from surveys like NAS (2017) and PLFS (2021-2024) reveal that nearly half of India’s students are not reaching grade-level proficiency. Meanwhile, those who attain higher education grapple with disproportionately high unemployment rates. This raises a critical question: Does our education system truly build skills, or is it merely a conveyor belt for credentials?
Adding to the complexity, recent large-scale exam scandals – including NEET, SSC, and OTET – have shed light on systemic governance failures, eroding the credibility of standardized assessments and public trust.
“Education is the most powerful weapon, which we can use to change the world.”
—Nelson Mandela
Education in India has evolved significantly over the centuries, transforming from ancient Gurukuls to modern digital classrooms. During the Vedic period, knowledge was transmitted orally, with an emphasis on spiritual and holistic growth. Institutions like Nalanda, the world’s first university, and Takshashila were renowned as centers of knowledge.
The medieval period saw the introduction of madrasas and maktabs, focusing on Islamic studies and Persian literature. During the British colonial period, the traditional education system shifted to English-medium instruction, favoring Western-style education for administrative purposes.
Post-independence, the Right to Education Act of 2009 was enacted, making education for children ages 6 to 14 a fundamental right. Subsequently, the government introduced the National Education Policy of 2020, which embraced a multidisciplinary, skill-based, and technology-integrated approach to education.
A Paradox of Progress: Why Is the Literacy Rate Still Lagging?
India has several governing bodies focused on improving the education system for future generations. These include:
- Ministry of Education, Government of India
- University Grants Commission
- All India Council for Technical Education
- National Council of Educational Research and Training
- Central Board of Secondary Education
- State Boards of Secondary Education
- National Council for Teacher Education
- National Medical Commission
- Bar Council of India
Along with these governing bodies, there are several other schemes, like the Atal Innovation Mission, the Research and Innovation in Higher Education (RISE) program, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, Investment in STEM Education, and the Atal Tinkering Lab sponsored by NITI Ayog, which has already established over 8000 labs across India. The rise of edtech companies and government initiatives like PM eVidya expanded. As of Financial Year 2022, the Indian edtech market investment was $US 3.94 billion, and the online education sector was expected to grow by $US 2.28 billion between 2021 and 2025 with a CAGR of 20%.
Each of these organizations and schemes plays a crucial role in shaping and overseeing the educational framework in the country. Despite having so many governing bodies and schemes, why is the literacy rate still so low?
The National Achievement Survey, 2017, shows nearly 50 million children were not performing at grade level in reading and math. 75% of class 3 students were unable to read grade 2 texts.
Are We Building Degrees or Delivering Employability?
Educated unemployment in India is alarmingly high, with a rate of 6.5% among individuals who have completed secondary education or higher. In contrast, the unemployment rates are significantly lower for those with less education, at just 0.2% for non-literate individuals and 1.4% for those who have only completed up to middle school.
Here is an overview of the MOSPI data:
.4% for those who have only completed up to middle school. Here is an overview of the MOSPI data:
| Level of Education | Unemployment rate (2021-22) | Unemployment rate (2022-23) | Unemployment rate (2023-24) |
| Not Literate | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Literate & up Primary | 0.9% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Middle school | 2.5% | 1.6% | 1.4% |
| Secondary & above | 8.0% | 6.6% | 6.5% |
According to the India Employment Report 2024 published by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD), young people in India make up nearly 83% of the country’s unemployed workforce.
Cheating the Future:
NEET Scams Overview—Timeline of Events;
- 2024: Paper Leak Integrity Breach: Multiple leaks were reported in Patna and Godhra, resulting in a notable integrity breach. A staggering 67 candidates secured perfect scores of 720, raising alarm about potential collusion.
- 2025: Fake Leak Alerts
- Over 120 media channels flagged incidents of alleged paper leaks, with approximately 1500 claims received. These reports spurred investigations into the veracity of exam integrity.
- 2025: Score Manipulation
- 2025: Dummy Candidates: Instances of impersonation and examination fraud were revealed in Jaipur, where individuals posing as legitimate candidates were caught during the exams.
- 2025: Mark-sheet Consultants arrested. A network involved in manipulating academic marks was dismantled, showcasing the nexus of corruption within educational assessments.
Additional Cases of Exam Fraud;
- SSC Cheating Racket : In August 2025, a comprehensive cheating syndicate targeted SSC online exams in Haldwani. Investigations revealed that nine individuals utilized remote access software, controlled by handlers in Delhi, to solve exam questions in real-time.
- OTET Paper Leak in Odisha: The Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET), scheduled for July 2025, was canceled after identical question papers were leaked on social media. Six individuals were arrested, including a BSE employee who illicitly accessed exam materials from the vice president’s laptop, leading to disciplinary action against the vice president.
- CHO Exam Online Fraud in Bihar: In December 2024, a sophisticated scam exploited pre-programmed proxy servers, allowing external solvers to manipulate the online Community Health Officer (CHO) exam effectively.
- Clerk Exam Paper Leak in Gujarat : Allegations emerged implicating individuals involved in clerk exam leaks with broader fraudulent networks spanning JEE, NEET, IBPS, and other examinations. This included the issuance of counterfeit certificates.
These recurring examination scams demonstrate significant systemic governance challenges ranging from vulnerabilities in exam infrastructure to gaps in regulatory enforcement. The prevalence of such fraud raises serious concerns regarding the credibility of educational institutions.
Ending Note:
India’s education system, despite substantial funding, ambitious policies, and extensive institutional frameworks, still primarily generates degrees rather than genuine knowledge or employability. The core issue is not a lack of effort but rather a significant disconnect between strategic intentions and practical execution. Effective governance must be as robust as the educational objectives, and the emphasis on integrity should be as strong as that on innovation. Without addressing these misalignments, we risk perpetuating a cycle where we not only compromise academic integrity through malpractice but also undermine the future we aspire to shape through education.
