Students Clear Science Stream in Record Numbers 2024: India has recorded a substantial jump in the number of students clearing the Class 12 science stream in 2024. As per the Ministry of Education, 61 lakh students passed the science stream this year—a 16% increase from 52.4 lakh in 2022. This growth highlights the rising interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields, especially among girls and students from diverse backgrounds.
In response, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Union Education Ministry has urged higher education institutions to expand STEM seats and recruit more faculty. This aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goals of increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and equipping students for future job markets. Despite progress, dropout rates remain a concern, prompting the government to reinforce open schooling and unify board structures for smoother academic pathways.
| Key Details | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Science Stream Pass-outs (2022) | 52.4 lakh |
| Science Stream Pass-outs (2024) | 61 lakh (16% increase) |
| Dropout after Class 10 (2024) | 26.6 lakh did not move to Class 11 |
| Dropout after Class 12 (2024) | 24.7 lakh |
| Open Schooling Enrolment (Class 10, 2024) | 6.98 lakh |
| Open Schooling Pass (Class 10, 2024) | 3.4 lakh (54% pass rate) |
| Open Schooling Enrolment (Class 12, 2024) | 7.9 lakh |
| Open Schooling Pass (Class 12, 2024) | 57% pass rate |
| Key Focus Areas | – Increase STEM seats in colleges – Recruit more STEM teachers – Improve open schooling outcomes – Merge separate boards for efficient exams |
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Strong Growth in Science Stream Participation
The increase from 52.4 lakh to 61 lakh science stream pass-outs in just two years shows an encouraging trend for India’s knowledge economy. A senior DoSEL official remarked, “An additional 9 lakh students passing science means we need proportional increases in STEM seats and faculty in higher education institutions to support this growth.”
The growth is particularly evident among girls and students from marginalised groups, aligning with the government’s aim of inclusive education.
Addressing Dropout Rates and Expanding Open Schooling
Despite the positive trend, dropouts after Class 10 and 12 still pose a challenge. In 2024 alone, over 51 lakh students either failed or did not appear for exams across both levels. To tackle this, the Ministry plans to:
- Promote open schooling through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
- Encourage states to merge separate Class 10 and 12 boards
- Increase community-level awareness and accessibility
However, pass rates in open schools remain low, with only about half the students clearing exams.
Next Steps and Policy Measures
States like Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana have shown better open schooling outcomes. The government is urging other states to adopt similar models and invest in additional open schools.
The Ministry is also pushing for:
- Better school-level planning
- Stronger teacher training programmes
- New recruitment drives to meet the rising demand for science education
These measures support the larger NEP 2020 vision to ensure no student is left behind due to systemic hurdles.
