Universal access to quality education is a prerequisite in building a more prosperous world, and it is vital for meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4. Education enables people to take care of their health, work and promote social inclusion. In this regard the objective of the study is to assess educational inequality in India, focusing on disparities across states and social groups, identifying causes and analysing their impact on education access and quality. The study draws upon secondary data from trusted sources such as the Census report, the National Statistical Office and the National Sample Survey etc. to explore regional disparities and key challenges in education. The findings culminate in a set of actionable recommendations aimed at policymakers and education stakeholders with the goal of addressing inequalities, boosting literacy rates and ensuring more equitable access to education across the nation.
Gope et al. (2026) studied this question.