Education is Key to India’s $35 Trillion Future, Says Hardeep Singh Puri at National Seminar

New Delhi, July 15, 2025: Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri stressed that education must remain central to India’s development agenda if the country is to transform from a $4 trillion to a $35 trillion economy by 2047. Speaking at a seminar titled “School Education in India: Towards Equitable Access to Quality Education for All”, organized by the Council for Social Development, the Minister highlighted education as a critical driver of inclusive growth, productivity, and nation-building.

Puri reflected on the landmark policy reforms since the 86th Constitutional Amendment in 2002 under the Vajpayee government, which made education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6–14. This laid the foundation for the Right to Education (RTE) Act in 2009 and marked a shift from Directive Principles to enforceable rights.

Citing government data from UDISE and ASER, the Minister noted significant improvements in school enrolment, literacy, and infrastructure since 2014 under the Modi government. Among the achievements:

• Youth literacy rate has climbed to nearly 97%

• Primary enrolment rose from 84% to 96%, and upper primary from 62% to 90%

• Dropout rate declined from 9.1% to 1.5%

• Teacher-pupil ratio improved from 42:1 to 24:1

• Schools with separate toilets for girls increased from 30% to 91%

• Schools with electricity access grew from 20% to 86%

 Puri also acknowledged the narrowing gender literacy gap, bolstered by key national initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

“India’s progress in education is undeniable,” he said, “but to fully harness our demographic dividend, we must continue investing in inclusive and quality education as a national priority, beyond political lines.”

The event also marked the inauguration of the Muchkund Dubey Centre for Right to Education, named in honour of the late Prof. Muchkund Dubey—an esteemed diplomat, scholar, and champion of equitable learning. Puri, paying tribute, described Prof. Dubey as “a mentor and public intellectual whose vision continues to inspire efforts to ensure every child in India receives quality education.”