Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday criticised the Centre over the state of the country's education system, citing findings from a NITI Aayog report that, according to the party, highlight significant shortcomings in school infrastructure, student retention and access to education.

In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party linked the report's findings with recent protests by students and job aspirants over alleged examination paper leaks and unemployment, arguing that the government's own policy think tank has exposed deep-rooted issues in the education sector.