India has one of the largest school systems in the world. According to UDISE+ 2025-26, the Ministry of Education's official school census, there are 14,66,682 schools in India, with about 1.03 crore teachers and 24.72 crore students from pre-primary to Class 12.
Number of schools in India by management (UDISE+ 2025-26)
| Type of school | Number of schools | Share of schools |
|---|---|---|
| Government schools | 10,05,245 | 68.5% |
| Private unaided (recognised) schools | 3,41,689 | 23.3% |
| Government-aided schools | 79,261 | 5.4% |
| Other schools | 40,487 | 2.8% |
| Total | 14,66,682 | 100% |
Government schools make up more than two-thirds of all schools, but private unaided schools now enrol 40% of all students, because private schools are, on average, much larger (about 289 students per private school, compared with about 118 per government school).
How has the number of schools changed?
| UDISE+ 2024-25 | UDISE+ 2025-26 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total schools | 14,71,473 | 14,66,682 | −4,791 |
| Government schools | 10,13,322 | 10,05,245 | −8,077 |
| Private unaided schools | 3,39,583 | 3,41,689 | +2,106 |
| Government-aided schools | 79,349 | 79,261 | −88 |
The total is falling slightly, mainly because small government schools are being merged or closed, while the number of private schools continues to grow.
Which state has the most schools?
Uttar Pradesh has the largest school system in India, with about 2.62 lakh schools (UDISE+ 2024-25) — roughly 18% of all schools in the country. It also has the largest student population, at about 3.25 crore students.
Explore schools state by state on PickMySchool: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, or see all states.
How many CBSE, ICSE and IB schools are there in India?
| Board | Approx. number of schools | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CBSE | About 28,500 affiliated schools | CBSE affiliation data (2025) |
| CISCE (ICSE / ISC) | About 2,700 (India and abroad) | CISCE |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | About 270 IB World Schools | International Baccalaureate (2025) |
| State boards | The large majority of India’s schools, mostly government schools | State education boards |
Most government schools follow their state board. National boards (CBSE and CISCE) and international curricula (IB, Cambridge) are concentrated in private and central-government schools. Read our comparison of CBSE, ICSE, IB and State Board.
Schools on PickMySchool
PickMySchool helps parents compare private and international schools in detail. We currently list 325 schools in 95 cities: 172 CBSE, 71 ICSE, 56 IB and 15 State Board schools, with fees, facilities, admission details and parent reviews. Start with the Top 10 schools in India, top boarding schools, IB schools by city or schools by city.
Frequently asked questions
How many schools are there in India in 2026?
14,66,682 schools, according to UDISE+ 2025-26, the latest official data.
How many government schools are there in India?
10,05,245 government schools (68.5% of all schools), per UDISE+ 2025-26.
How many private schools are there in India?
3,41,689 private unaided recognised schools, plus 79,261 government-aided schools, per UDISE+ 2025-26.
How many students study in Indian schools?
About 24.72 crore students, taught by about 1.03 crore teachers (UDISE+ 2025-26).
Which state has the most schools in India?
Uttar Pradesh, with about 2.62 lakh schools (UDISE+ 2024-25).
Sources: UDISE+ 2025-26 and UDISE+ 2024-25 (Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India), as analysed by Prof. Arun C. Mehta (educationforallinindia.com); CBSE affiliation data; CISCE; International Baccalaureate. PickMySchool figures are live counts from our listings.