The Hunter Commission, appointed by Viceroy Lord Ripon in 1882, examined the condition of Indian education and reviewed the implementation of the Wood’s Despatch of 1854. It aimed to reform primary, secondary, and missionary-run education and recommend measures for expansion and improvement.

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•  Commission led by Sir W.W. Hunter to review education progress since 1854.
•  Focus on primary education; evaluate access, quality, and language of instruction.
• Stressed teaching in local languages for primary level.
•  Shifted primary education control to district and municipal boards.
•  Highlighted poor female education; urged expansion beyond presidency towns.
•  Recommended grants-in-aid and clear rural–urban fund separation.
•  Secondary education to expand via private schools using state aid.
•  Model public schools proposed in each district for quality benchmarks.
•  Introduced academic and vocational streams in secondary curriculum.
•  Report led to decentralization and rise in school enrolment (1882–1901).