In Which States Do Females Miss Out On Schooling The Most? Bihar Ranks 2nd; Check Who Tops The List: NFHS-6

Education is often described as the foundation of empowerment. It opens doors to better opportunities, improves health outcomes and helps individuals participate more actively in society. Yet, for millions of women across India, access to schooling remains a challenge.

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) 2023-24 highlights this reality, revealing that a significant section of India's female population has never stepped inside a classroom.

According to the survey, 26.3% of females aged six years and above in India have never attended school, indicating that more than one in four women and girls have been left out of formal education.

Telangana Records The Highest Share

Among all states and Union Territories, Telangana reported the highest proportion of females who have never attended school at 39.8%.

This means nearly four out of every ten females aged six and above in the state have never received formal education.

Other states reporting high percentages include:

• Bihar - 35.9%
• Rajasthan - 35.7%
• Jharkhand - 32%
• Arunachal Pradesh - 31.4%
• Andhra Pradesh - 30.9%
• Ladakh - 30.7%
• Madhya Pradesh - 30%
• Uttar Pradesh - 29.9%
• Jammu & Kashmir - 28.7%

These figures point towards continuing educational gaps, particularly in regions where economic, social and geographic challenges affect access to schooling.

Kerala Sets The Benchmark

At the other end of the spectrum, Kerala recorded the lowest percentage at just 3.4%, making it the best-performing state on this indicator.

Several other states and Union Territories also performed well:

• Lakshadweep - 3.8%
• Mizoram - 4.7%
• Puducherry - 7%
• Chandigarh - 12.2%
• Goa - 12.8%
• Nagaland - 14.4%

The numbers reflect decades of investment in literacy, education infrastructure and awareness programmes that have helped improve school attendance among girls.

Why Are Girls Still Missing Out On Education?

Experts say several factors continue to influence whether girls attend school.

Some of the common reasons include:

• Poverty and financial constraints
• Early marriage
• Household responsibilities
• Limited access to schools in remote areas
• Social and cultural barriers
• Safety concerns

In many communities, girls are still expected to prioritise domestic work over education, resulting in lower school attendance and higher dropout rates.

Education's Impact Goes Beyond Classrooms

The importance of female education extends far beyond academic achievement.

Research has consistently shown that educated women are more likely to:

• Participate in the workforce
• Make informed healthcare decisions
• Delay marriage and childbirth
• Ensure better education for their children
• Contribute to household income

Education is also closely linked to improvements in nutrition, health and overall quality of life.

A Mixed Picture Across India

The NFHS-6 findings reveal a country that has made considerable progress in expanding education but still faces deep regional disparities.

States such as Kerala, Mizoram and Lakshadweep demonstrate what is possible when education is prioritised, while the figures from Telangana, Bihar and Rajasthan show that significant gaps remain.