Gujarat enrolls 16.35 lakh students in Shala Praveshotsav drive across 37,211 schools
Synopsis
Gujarat's 24th Shala Praveshotsav enrolled over 16.35 lakh students in three days across 37,211 schools — including 71,229 dropouts brought back into classrooms. Launched from PM Modi's alma mater in Vadnagar, the drive also distributed Vidyalakshmi Bonds to 13,084 girls and drew ₹28.97 crore in public donations, making it one of the state's largest annual education mobilisations.
Key Takeaways
More than 16.35 lakh students enrolled across 37,211 schools in Gujarat during the three-day Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav on 1 July 2025 .
71,229 dropout students were brought back into the education system through the 'Back to School Survey' initiative.
13,084 meritorious girls received Vidyalakshmi Bonds to support continuation into higher education.
New transport facilities were introduced in approximately 2,766 schools to improve access.
Donors across Gujarat contributed more than ₹28.97 crore in cash and materials during the drive.
The 24th edition was launched from B.N.
High School, Vadnagar — Prime Minister Narendra Modi's primary school.
More than 16.35 lakh students were enrolled across 37,211 schools in Gujarat during the state's three-day 'Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav' campaign, Government Spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani announced on Wednesday, 1 July. The annual drive, conducted under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, aims to boost enrolment and curb school dropouts across the state.
Key Enrolment Numbers
The campaign delivered enrolment across multiple levels of the schooling system. More than 1.93 lakh children began their education in anganwadis and nursery schools, while over 4.34 lakh children enrolled in Balvatika. More than 1.05 lakh students joined Class 1, over 5.93 lakh students enrolled in Class 9, and more than 3.08 lakh students secured admission to Class 11.
Notably, 71,229 students who had previously left the education system were brought back into classrooms through the state's 'Back to School Survey' initiative — underscoring the campaign's reach beyond first-time enrolments.
Launched from Modi's Hometown Vadnagar
The 24th edition of the Shala Praveshotsav was launched from B.N. High School in Vadnagar — the same school where Prime Minister Narendra Modi received his primary education. The choice of venue carries symbolic weight, reinforcing the campaign's statewide significance. Chief Minister Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, cabinet members, public representatives, and senior officials personally visited schools across Gujarat during the three-day drive.
Support for Girls' Education and School Access
As part of efforts to promote girls' education, 13,084 meritorious girls were presented with Vidyalakshmi Bonds to encourage continuation into higher education. The state government also introduced new transport facilities in approximately 2,766 schools to improve physical access for students, particularly in remote areas.
Community Contributions and Government Objective
Donors from across Gujarat contributed more than ₹28.97 crore in cash and materials during the drive, channelling private support into education-related activities. Vaghani stated that the campaign was organised with the objective of raising Gujarat's literacy rate and achieving 100 per cent enrolment across the state.
With the 24th edition now concluded, the focus will shift to retention — whether students enrolled during the drive remain in school through the academic year will be the true measure of the campaign's long-term impact.
Point of View
But enrolment and retention are different metrics — and the state has historically been stronger on the former. The 71,229 dropout re-entries are the more consequential figure: if the 'Back to School Survey' can hold those students through the academic year, it represents a structural gain rather than a ceremonial one. The ₹28.97 crore in donor contributions also signals that community buy-in remains high, but private philanthropy filling gaps in state education infrastructure is a trend worth watching critically. The Vadnagar launch is politically loaded — tying the campaign to PM Modi's schooling narrative is deliberate framing, and mainstream coverage rarely interrogates what lies beneath the headline enrolment count.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav in Gujarat?
It is an annual three-day school admission campaign run by the Gujarat government to boost enrolment and reduce dropouts across state schools. The 24th edition, held in 2025, enrolled more than 16.35 lakh students across 37,211 schools.
How many students enrolled during the 2025 Shala Praveshotsav drive?
More than 16.35 lakh students were enrolled across 37,211 schools during the three-day drive. This includes 1.93 lakh in anganwadis and nurseries, 4.34 lakh in Balvatika, 1.05 lakh in Class 1, 5.93 lakh in Class 9, and 3.08 lakh in Class 11.
What is the 'Back to School Survey' mentioned in the campaign?
The 'Back to School Survey' is a Gujarat government initiative to identify and re-enrol children who had previously dropped out of school. During the 2025 drive, it successfully brought 71,229 such students back into classrooms.
What are Vidyalakshmi Bonds and who received them?
Vidyalakshmi Bonds are financial incentives provided by the Gujarat government to encourage meritorious girls to continue into higher education. During the 2025 campaign, 13,084 meritorious girls received these bonds.
Where was the 24th Shala Praveshotsav launched and why is the location significant?
The 24th edition was launched from B.N. High School in Vadnagar — the school where Prime Minister Narendra Modi received his primary education. The venue choice carries symbolic significance for the campaign's statewide profile.
