Children in India 2025 – Key Indicators and Trends
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, released the fourth edition of the publication Children in India 2025 on 25th September 2025. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the status of children across India. It marks improvements in health, education, child protection, and social indicators. The data is drawn from multiple government sources and aims to support evidence-based policy making.
Infant and Child Mortality Trends
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has declined from 44 per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 25 in 2023. Under-five Mortality Rate (U5MR) also improved from 30 in 2022 to 29 in 2023. Rural areas show higher mortality rates compared to urban areas. Male infants have a slightly higher IMR than females. The overall birth rate is decreasing, with rural birth rates at 20.3 per 1,000 population and urban rates at 14.9 in 2023.
Education and Dropout Rates
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) in education shows national parity across all stages, with secondary education achieving a GPI of 1.1. This indicates more female enrolment relative to males at this level. Dropout rates have improved sharply. At the preparatory stage, dropouts fell from 8.7% to 2.3%. Middle-level dropouts declined from 8.1% to 3.5%. Secondary level dropout rates decreased from 13.8% in 2022-23 to 8.2% in 2024-25. These trends reflect better student retention and gender equality in education.
Child Marriage and Social Indicators
The percentage of women aged 20-24 married before 18 years dropped from 26.8% in 2015-16 to 23.3% in 2019-21. This indicates slow but steady progress in reducing child marriage. The publication also notes changes in social behaviour and child welfare, reflecting enhanced awareness and legal enforcement.
Adoption and Child Protection
Adoption rates increased from 3,927 in 2017-18 to 4,515 in 2024-25. In-country adoptions dominate, with female children adopted more frequently than males. Inter-country adoption figures remain lower but stable. The report includes new data on crimes involving children and child protection mechanisms, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and policy support.
Publication Structure and Data Accessibility
Children in India 2025 is organised into seven chapters covering population, health, education, child protection, legal frameworks, and sustainable development goals. The report includes detailed data tables accessible via QR codes. An expert committee guided improvements in scope, design, and data inclusions such as causes of death and device usage among children. The publication serves as a vital resource for policymakers and researchers.
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