Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand recorded an impressive 91% retention rate among students enrolled under the Right to Education (RTE) Act during the 2023-24 academic year, according to the latest report by Indus Action, an education-focused NGO.

Topping the list, Odisha achieved a remarkable 97% retention rate, ensuring that 24,834 disadvantaged children remained on track in their academic journey. The performance reflects the state’s effective RTE implementation and commitment to providing sustained access to quality education.

“These findings resonate with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises not just access but holistic development,” said Indus Action. The report highlighted that 87 per cent of RTE students actively participate in school activities, while 98 per cent maintain positive interactions with peers, demonstrating the program’s role in fostering social integration across socio-economic lines.

Despite these encouraging figures, critical challenges persist. The report points to gaps in fee support and digital access, with 61 per cent of families still bearing school-related expenses and 57 per cent describing them as “quite difficult” to manage. Such financial strain threatens the sustainability of RTE’s impact, underscoring the need for comprehensive reimbursement mechanisms.

Digital inclusion remains another concern. While 81% of RTE students form friendships across socio-economic divides, access to technology-enhanced learning tools—a growing marker of quality education—remains uneven, leaving many students at a disadvantage in the digital age.

“While we celebrate the 91% retention rate as a testament to RTE’s potential, true educational equity demands that we address the financial and digital barriers that families continue to face,” said Tarun Cherukuri, founder and CEO of Indus Action.

The report also cautions that post-RTE educational outcomes are still poorly tracked, making it difficult to assess the long-term impact of these interventions. Yet, the overall findings provide a positive signal: RTE students are weathering learning losses and digital divides better than anticipated, pointing to the transformative potential of inclusive education policies—provided systemic gaps are addressed.