70% of Indian Youth Commute Daily for Education; Two-wheelers Lead Workforce Travel
A new MoSPI survey reveals over 70% of Indian youth travel daily for studies, with two-wheelers dominating workforce travel across the country.
A landmark study has revealed that a massive portion of India's younger generation is constantly on the move to secure their futures. According to the first-ever National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), over 70% of students aged 15 to 29 years undertake regular daily trips to attend educational institutions.
The survey, which tracked movement between July 2025 and June 2026, highlights a significant commitment to learning through physical mobility. In rural India, 79.1% of youth in this age bracket participate in regular trips, while the figure stands at 73.3% in urban areas. For the purpose of this study, a "trip" was defined as any travel covering a distance of more than 1 km.
How Students Get to Class: Walking vs. Wheels
The data provides a fascinating look at the modes of transport used by the student population. While technology and vehicles are rising, traditional methods still hold a strong grip on the student commute:
- Walking: Remains the most common method, used by 37.0% of students nationwide.
- Buses: The primary mass transit option, carrying 29.5% of students.
- Bicycles: A staple for 15.8% of the student population.
- Auto-rickshaws: Used by 10.5% of students overall, with a higher concentration of 14.4% in urban centers.
- Two-wheelers: Account for 6.7% nationally, though this rises to 11.5% in cities.
Timing is also critical for the student population. The average travel time for a student is 23 minutes, with 87.6% of learners arriving at their destination within half an hour. The morning rush is evident, as 82.0% of students depart for their institutions between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
The Workforce: Two-Wheelers Rule the Road
The mobility trends shift significantly when looking at the working population. Over half of all workers aged 15 and above perform daily trips to their workplaces, with urban participation (64.1%) outpacing rural areas (54.5%).
A striking gender divide was observed in employment travel. While 61.9% of male workers commute daily, only 41.9% of female workers do the same. For the workforce, the two-wheeler is the undisputed king of the road, serving as the predominant choice for 42.6% of commuters.
Urban mass transit plays a vital role in specific regions. While it accounts for only 5.0% of worker travel nationally, certain states show much higher reliance:
- Maharashtra: 20.7%
- West Bengal: 16.5%
- Delhi: 14.4%
The Cost of Moving: Monthly Commute Expenses
Traveling to work and school comes with a measurable financial burden on Indian households. The survey broke down the monthly expenditure required to maintain these daily routines:
For Workers:
Commuters heading to fixed workplaces spend an average of Rs 1,044 per month in urban areas and Rs 612 per month in rural areas. On a national scale, this averages to Rs 785 per month. There is also a notable gap between genders, with male workers spending an average of Rs 835 compared to Rs 533 for females.
For Students:
The monthly transport cost for students averages Rs 443 nationwide. However, urban learners face higher costs, spending an average of Rs 617, while rural learners spend approximately Rs 361 per month.
Overnight Travel: Social and Religious Drivers
Beyond the daily grind, the survey also looked at overnight household travel. The primary drivers for these longer journeys are socialising, communication, and religious activities, which account for 69.7% of rural and 70.9% of urban overnight trips. In terms of transport for these journeys, buses and railways are the most popular, facilitating 73.5% of travel, followed by cars (15.1%) and two-wheelers (8.8%).