Education in India is provided by public schools (controlled and funded by three levels: central, state and local) and private schools. Under various articles of the Indian Constitution, free and compulsory education is provided as a fundamental right to children between the ages of 6 and 14. The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools in India is 7:5.
India has made progress in increasing the attainment rate of primary education. In 2011, Approximately 75% of the population, aged between 7 to 10 years, was literate. India's improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to its economic development. Much of the progress, especially in higher education and scientific research, has been credited to various public institutions. While enrollment in higher education has increased steadily over the past decade, reaching a Gross Enrollment Ratio of 24% in 2013, there still remains a significant distance to catch up with tertiary education enrollment levels of developed nations, a challenge that will be necessary to overcome in order to continue to reap a demographic dividend from India's comparatively young population.
...The Government of India, over the last 60 years, has made provisions for full policy support and considerable public funds to create one of the world’s largest systems of higher education. However, these institutions, with a few notable exceptions have not been able to maintain the high standards of education or keep pace with developments in knowledge and technology sector.
Financial constraint with ever increasing enrolments, over a period of time, and an explosive demand from primary and secondary education has led to the deterioration in the financial support provided by the government. India has an immense population of uneducated children and the Indian Constitution provides for free and compulsory education up to the age of 14. India also has the dubious distinction of one of the highest levels of illiteracy in the world.
