New Delhi: Between the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) rounds 5 (2019-21) and 6 (2023-24), the share of Indian women who have ever used the internet nearly doubled, from 33.3% to 64.3%. Preschool attendance among children aged two to four years rose from 40.1% to 47%, and the proportion of women with 10 or more years of schooling climbed from 41% to 46.4%.
Quiet Transformation in Education and Digital Access
The latest NFHS data suggests India is witnessing a quiet but significant transformation in both education and digital access for girls and women. These gains reflect improved connectivity and policy efforts, yet the survey also reveals sharp inequalities that continue to shape educational opportunities across the country.
Rural-Urban Disparity Persists
Female school attendance among those aged 6 and above stands at 84.3% in urban India, compared to just 69.2% in rural areas. This 15-percentage-point gap highlights the persistent divide in access to education between urban and rural regions.
While national averages show progress, the disparities underscore the need for targeted interventions to bridge the rural-urban gap. The data points to a broader trend of digital inclusion, but also to the challenges that remain in ensuring equal educational opportunities for all.
About the Author: Manash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, covering education policy, politics, and governance. His work includes incisive coverage of the National Education Policy 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, as well as student politics and social movements.
