Educational attainment is a key determinant of human capital formation and socio-economic development. Despite significant progress in expanding access to education, India continues to experience substantial disparities in educational outcomes across socio-economic groups. This paper examines the impact of selected socio-economic factors on educational attainment in India using secondary data from national-level sources such as the Census of India, National Family Health Survey (NFHS), National Sample Survey (NSS), and UDISE. The study adopts a descriptive and comparative review approach to analyse variations in literacy levels, school completion, and years of schooling across income groups, gender, caste, and rural–urban residence. The findings reveal that household economic status, parental education, social group affiliation, and place of residence play a crucial role in shaping educational outcomes. Although gender gaps have narrowed in recent decades, disparities persist among disadvantaged social groups and poorer households. The paper highlights the continuing relevance of targeted policy interventions and inclusive educational planning to reduce socio-economic inequalities in educational attainment. The study contributes to existing literature by synthesizing evidence from multiple secondary sources and offering policy-relevant insights for strengthening educational equity in India.
Educational attainment, Socio-economic factors, NFHS, NSS, India, Inequality.
Kanchan Saha. Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Educational Attainment in India: A Review of Secondary Data. Indian Journal of Modern Research and Reviews. 2024; 2(2):76-80
Download PDF
