Gujarat's Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav and Shala Praveshotsav 2026 campaign has enrolled more than 11.20 lakh students in its first two days, reaching 17,338 villages and 24,716 schools across the state, according to official figures released on Wednesday, 24 June 2026. The 24th edition of the annual drive marks one of the state's most expansive school enrolment pushes since the initiative began in 2003.

Scale of the Drive

The second day alone saw enrolment programmes conducted in 8,173 villages and 11,987 schools, with 29,682 dignitaries — including ministers, elected representatives, and senior government officials — visiting campuses to welcome children. Across both days combined, 60,184 public representatives and officials participated in outreach events statewide.

The campaign was launched on Monday by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel from B.N. High School in Vadnagar — the school attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his childhood — lending the inauguration symbolic weight beyond the administrative.

Enrolment by the Numbers

More than 62,000 children began their educational journey on Wednesday through admissions to Anganwadis and pre-primary institutions. In Balvatika classes, enrolments surpassed the pool of identified eligible children, with 1.40 lakh admissions recorded against 1,39,925 eligible students — a rare instance of demand exceeding official estimates.

Class-wise, the drive recorded more than 34,000 new admissions in Class 1, 1,96,755 in Class 9, and 1,01,759 in Class 11. Additionally, 21,892 students identified through the state's 'Back to School Survey' — a mechanism targeting dropouts and out-of-school children — were formally admitted during the campaign.

Support for Girls and Remote Students

The government distributed 'Vidhyalakshmi Bonds' to 5,664 girl students during the programme, an instrument designed to incentivise continued schooling and support higher education aspirations. New transport facilities were extended to 847 schools, specifically aimed at improving access for students in remote and underserved areas — a persistent structural barrier to enrolment in rural Gujarat.

Community Contributions

Public participation added a notable financial dimension to the campaign. According to official figures, contributions worth more than ₹9.19 crore were received, comprising cash donations exceeding ₹1.25 crore and educational materials valued at more than ₹7.95 crore donated to schools across the state. This community co-funding model has been a hallmark of the initiative since its inception.

Background and Significance

The Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav and Shala Praveshotsav were launched by the Gujarat government in 2003 primarily to address low school enrolment among girls and children from disadvantaged communities. Held annually ahead of each new academic session, the programme has evolved into a large-scale mobilisation exercise involving government, civil society, and local communities. This year's edition continues that tradition, with the state aiming to ensure no eligible child is left outside the formal education system.