India's neighbourhood-school policy aims to make elementary education accessible to children close to their homes. However, new government data suggest that many students still travel beyond a one-kilometre distance to reach their educational institutions, highlighting the gap between access-related policy goals and everyday travel patterns.
The National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, found that 60.6% of students aged 6–14 undertook journeys of at least one kilometre to reach their educational institutions. The findings come from the first-ever National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), conducted between July 2025 and June 2026.
The figures are significant in the context of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which provides for neighbourhood schools within prescribed distance norms. However, the survey does not establish that every child travelling more than one kilometre lacks access to a nearby school, as it does not identify the distance to the nearest available institution.
What the Survey Reveals About School Travel
The NHTS covered 4,92,023 households across 14,274 villages and 10,377 urban blocks, collecting information on travel patterns across rural and urban India.
Among children aged 6–14, the share undertaking journeys of at least one kilometre was higher in urban areas, at 64.4%, compared with 59% in rural areas. Across all students aged six and above, 66.4% reported travel of at least one kilometre to their educational institutions.
The survey counted only journeys of one kilometre or more. As a result, it provides information about students undertaking longer trips but does not capture shorter journeys or directly measure how many children have a school within the prescribed neighbourhood distance.
This distinction matters when interpreting the findings. The data indicate how students travel, but further information would be required to determine whether particular communities face shortages of nearby schools.
RTE's Neighbourhood School Provisions
The RTE Act establishes the right to free and compulsory elementary education for children aged 6–14. Its framework includes norms for neighbourhood schools, with distance requirements intended to make schooling accessible.
Under the central model rules, a neighbourhood school should generally be available within one kilometre of a habitation for children in Classes I–V and within three kilometres for children in Classes VI–VIII, subject to applicable state rules and provisions for difficult terrain or other special circumstances.
The purpose is to reduce barriers that can prevent children from attending school, particularly those from economically disadvantaged households or communities with limited transport options.
However, a student's total journey may depend on several factors, including the location of the school they attend, family preferences, school availability and the transition from primary to upper-primary education. The NHTS does not distinguish between these circumstances or establish whether students' journeys violate RTE distance norms.
Walking Remains the Most Common Mode for Children
The survey found that walking was the most common mode of travel among students aged 6–14, accounting for 47.3% of those undertaking journeys of at least one kilometre. Buses accounted for 28.4%, while bicycles represented 11.9%.
These patterns have implications for school accessibility and local transport planning. Children who walk may be exposed to unsafe roads, inadequate footpaths, traffic and weather-related difficulties, depending on the route. Those relying on buses or other paid transport may face additional household expenses.
The survey also found that households spent an average of ₹443 per student each month on travel to educational institutions. The average was ₹617 in urban areas and ₹361 in rural areas.
For families managing limited budgets, commuting costs can add to the broader expenses associated with schooling, including uniforms, books and other learning materials.
Why School Accessibility Matters
The distance between home and school can influence more than travel time. Long or difficult journeys may create practical challenges for younger children and their caregivers, particularly where transport is unreliable or safe walking routes are unavailable.
For policymakers, the findings point to the importance of examining school locations alongside enrolment and infrastructure data. Mapping the distance between habitations and functioning schools could help identify areas where additional capacity, transport support or improved connectivity may be required.
The data also highlight the need to consider differences between rural and urban communities. Urban students reported a higher share of journeys exceeding one kilometre, while rural families may face different challenges related to school density, road conditions and transport availability.
What the Findings Mean for Education Policy
The NHTS offers a new national baseline for understanding how students travel to educational institutions. However, it should not be interpreted as proof that the RTE Act's neighbourhood-school requirements are being violated nationwide.
A more detailed assessment would need to compare actual student journeys with the location of the nearest eligible school, the relevant distance rules and the availability of safe and accessible routes.
The broader policy challenge is to ensure that the right to elementary education translates into practical access for every child. Alongside school infrastructure and enrolment initiatives, reliable transport, safer routes and better local planning can help reduce the barriers students face in reaching classrooms.
