A new UN Women report has revealed that around 15 million primary school–age girls across the globe are not enrolled in school, compared with about 10 million boys of the same age. While global averages suggest progress towards gender parity in education, the report warns that this improvement masks sharp inequalities in certain regions. In some areas, nearly 48.1% of girls remain excluded from primary education.

The report identifies multiple, overlapping barriers that keep girls out of school. Early pregnancies, domestic responsibilities, child marriage, and cultural norms that undervalue girls’ education continue to push young learners out of classrooms. In Afghanistan, for example, 78% of young women are not engaged in education, employment, or training—almost four times the rate of young men. This exclusion also carries significant economic costs, with experts estimating that denying secondary education to Afghan girls could shrink the country’s GDP by 2.5% each year.

Beyond primary education, the picture is even more troubling. UNICEF estimates that 119 million girls worldwide are currently out of school across all education levels, including 34 million in primary school. The UN Women Global Gender Snapshot 2024 notes that since 2015, there has been a reduction of 5.4 million in the number of girls out of school. However, the overall scale of the challenge remains substantial, suggesting that progress is far too slow.

The stakes are high—not only for the girls themselves but for their communities and countries. Education offers girls the tools to break cycles of poverty, improve health outcomes, delay early marriage, and participate more fully in economic and civic life. The benefits extend well beyond individual lives, contributing to stronger economies, healthier societies, and reduced inequality.

The report serves as a call to action, urging governments, NGOs, and communities to look beyond infrastructure and address the deeper structural and cultural factors preventing girls from learning. Achieving true educational equality will require sustained investment, targeted policies, and a global commitment to ensuring that every child—regardless of gender—can access and complete a quality education.

India’s education system is undergoing a major transformation with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), data literacy, coding, and cybersecurity into school and college curricula. This change is being introduced as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2025, which emphasizes building strong foundations in digital and technological skills from an early stage.

The inclusion of these subjects aims to enhance applied learning and boost research readiness among students. By learning coding and data skills, students will not only understand how technology works but also develop the ability to solve real-world problems using computational thinking. AI and cybersecurity lessons are expected to foster awareness about digital safety and prepare students for the future of work, where such knowledge is essential.

This shift reflects the growing need for a tech-savvy workforce in India. As the country invests more in digital innovation and research, introducing students to emerging technologies at the school and undergraduate levels ensures they are better prepared for careers in science, technology, and research-intensive fields.

The policy also encourages institutions to focus on interdisciplinary education, combining technical skills with critical thinking and ethical awareness. This approach is designed to make students not just job-ready, but also capable of contributing meaningfully to research, innovation, and national development.

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established under the ANRF Act 2023 with the core purpose of strengthening India’s research ecosystem and cultivating a strong research culture in academic institutions. Its formation marks a significant policy shift to ensure that research and innovation become integral parts of higher education and national development.

The primary purpose of ANRF is to promote, fund, and coordinate large-scale, high-quality research across various disciplines, especially in science, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), agriculture, and health. It aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical societal needs by supporting projects that have real-world impact.

ANRF is also tasked with mobilizing public and private investments in research, making India more self-reliant and globally competitive. By fostering collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industries, the foundation ensures that academic knowledge is translated into innovative technologies and solutions.

Additionally, ANRF plays a crucial role in encouraging young researchers, building institutional research capacity, and creating an environment where Indian scholars can contribute meaningfully to global science and innovation.

In essence, ANRF exists to elevate India’s research standards, drive interdisciplinary collaboration, and support sustainable, inclusive development through knowledge creation and innovation.