The Ministry of Education has asked states —to help re-enroll them via open schooling options like NIOS and state open schools. Efforts include counselling by school principals and parents, outreach through phone calls, and increasing awareness of flexible education pathways .565-0This move aligns with NEP 2020 objectives, aiming to ramp up retention, especially beyond Grade 8, and achieve 100% gross enrolment by 2030.
State-Specific Dropout Drives & Initiatives

743-0Gujarat is rolling out an AI-powered Early Warning System (EWS) during its June 26 enrolment campaign (“Shala Praveshotsav”). It flags at-risk students in grades 8–9 by analyzing absenteeism, academic performance, behavior, migration, and socio-economic background. Local school committees, principals, and resource center coordinators will engage directly with both students and parents  .

1219-0Nagaland saw its secondary dropout rate plummet from 19.4% (2022–23) to 11.6% (2023–24)—now below the national average of ~14.1%—due to improved student tracking and retention strategies  .
1436-0Tripura reported a notable drop in 2023–24: secondary-level dropouts declined to 10.4% (from 17.9%), with upper primary down to 4.1% and primary to 0.5%. Factors included community mobilization, branch improvements in Mid-Day Meals, and focused student tracking  .
1729-Meghalaya implemented a multi-pronged approach—upgrading school infra, using QR-coded textbooks with video support, and converting secondary into higher-secondary schools—aimed primarily at reducing its ~22% secondary dropout rate .
2007-Average secondary-level dropout in India rose to ~14.1% (after earlier declines)Some states continue to show alarmingly high dropout rates: Meghalaya (~21.7%), Bihar (~20.5%), Assam (~20.3%), Gujarat (~17.8%) The Centre’s approach seeks to tackle this at both macro and micro levels:Micro: State-level AI/warning systems, QR-based learning aids, enhanced infrastructure, and targeted local outreach.