Why Girls Drop Out After Class 10 – and How Scholarships Keep Them in School

India has made real progress in keeping girls in school. More girls than ever are completing Classes 9 and 10. Yet the years around Class 10 remain a fragile moment. For a girl from a struggling family, this is often when the question quietly changes from "What will you study next?" to "Can we afford for you to keep studying at all?"

Real progress – and a gap that remains

According to an analysis of the government's UDISE+ school data, the dropout rate for girls at the secondary level (Classes 9–10) has nearly halved in recent years, from about 17% in 2018-19 to under 10% in 2024-25. That is a remarkable achievement.

But the same data shows the next step is harder. While roughly four in five girls of the right age are enrolled in Classes 9–10, only about three in five are enrolled in Classes 11–12. Many girls who finish Class 10 do not continue to Class 11.

Why girls leave school after Class 10

1. Money becomes a bigger question

Higher secondary education often means new costs – fees, books, coaching, travel to a school further away. When money is tight, families sometimes choose to invest in a son's education first.

2. The school is too far

Many villages have a school up to Class 10 but not beyond. Travelling to another town raises costs and safety concerns, and many families decide it is not worth the risk.

3. Responsibilities at home

By 15 or 16, girls are often expected to help with housework, care for younger siblings or work to support the family.

4. Pressure to marry early

In some communities, finishing Class 10 is seen as "enough" before marriage. Once a girl leaves school, she often does not return.

5. Losing a parent

The death of a parent or an earning family member can suddenly push a girl out of school. Many of the students Kind Circle supports come from single-parent households or have lost a parent.

How a scholarship changes the decision

A scholarship does more than pay fees. It tells a family that their daughter's education is worth investing in – and that someone outside the family believes in her too. Even a modest amount can:

• Cover school fees, books and uniforms
• Pay for travel to a higher secondary school
• Remove the immediate reason to drop out
• Give the girl confidence and a sense that her future matters

Scholarships on Kind Circle that support girls

• The Aadya Scholarship Kind Circle, started by 8-year-old Aadya Sharma, supports girls in Classes 9 and 10 from families earning under ₹3 lakh a year, with preference for girls who have lost a parent. Read Aadya's story.
• The Rolls-Royce Wings4Her Kind Circle supports young women in their education.
• The Scholarship for Girls Pursuing STEM Courses supports talented girls heading into science and technology.
• The Kind Circle of HOPE gives preference to girls pursuing professional degrees.

Stories that show what is possible

Kind Circle's success stories are full of girls who refused to stop. Likhitha lost her father yet scored 93.5% in Class 12 and went on to study STEM with scholarship support. Payal Chhillar overcame hardship after losing her father and is now studying Political Science with the dream of becoming a professor. Their journeys began with someone making sure they did not leave school too early.

Why it matters beyond one girl

When a girl finishes school, the benefits reach far beyond her. Educated girls are more likely to marry later, to earn more, and to make sure their own children go to school. Many go on to support their parents and siblings. In other words, keeping one girl in class can change the direction of an entire family for a generation.

That is why so many donors on Kind Circle choose to focus on girls – and why even a modest scholarship, given at the right moment, can be one of the most powerful gifts there is.

How you can help a girl stay in school

1. Donate to a circle that supports girls, such as the Aadya Scholarship Kind Circle.
2. Nominate a girl you know who is at risk of dropping out, using the nominate a student form.
3. Start your own scholarship for girls in your hometown, your old school or a district you care about. Read how to start a scholarship without registering a trust.
4. Celebrate with giving – make a birthday, anniversary or a daughter's milestone the reason to support another girl. See birthday giving.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to keep a girl in school for a year?
It varies, but scholarships for school students can start at a few thousand rupees a year. See how much it costs to sponsor a student.

How do I know the girl really needs help?
Every student is verified before any money is released. Read how Kind Circle verifies students.

Keep her in class

Every girl who finishes school is more likely to study further, earn more and support the next generation. Choose a circle today, or write to kind@buddy4study.com to start a scholarship for girls.

Data source: analysis of UDISE+ data, Ministry of Education, as published by Education for All in India.