UDISE+ and Performance Grading Index 2.0 Reports 2025-26

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The Ministry of Education released two key educational datasets, namely the **UDISE+ 2025-26** report and the **Performance Grading Index 2.0** for **2025-26**.
These datasets help evaluate school capacity and learning quality across states, shifting focus from enrollment numbers to concrete learning outcomes.

The **UDISE+ 2025-26** report shows reduced dropout rates and improved enrollment along with better infrastructure and student-teacher ratios in Indian schools.
However, challenges like high secondary level dropouts, learning gaps, and regional disparities still persist across several states.
The **PGI 2.0** index shows that no state achieved the highest performance grades, highlighting the need for data driven reforms aligned with the **NEP 2020**.

Secondary school dropout rates fell from **8.2%** in 2024-25 to **7.0%** in **2025-26**, while preparatory level dropouts dropped from **2.3%** to **1.8%**.
**Ladakh**, **Gujarat**, **Chhattisgarh**, and **Karnataka** recorded the highest secondary level dropout rates among all states and union territories.
Gross Enrolment Ratio at the secondary level grew to **71.7%**, while student retention improved to **51.9%**.
India crossed the milestone of **1 crore** school teachers, achieving **1.02 crore** total teachers across the nation.
The Pupil-Teacher Ratio remains well within the **NEP 2020** limit of **30:1**, standing at **10:1** for Foundational and **21:1** for Secondary level.
Student transition rates reached **99.2%** from foundational to preparatory stage and **88.3%** from middle to secondary stage.
Digital access expanded significantly, with **69.9%** of schools having computers and **67.4%** having active internet connections.
Basic infrastructure improved, with **95%** of schools having electricity, **99.5%** having drinking water, and **98.5%** providing girls toilets.
While **90.5%** of schools have functional libraries, only **58.2%** feature ramps with handrails for disabled children.
Female representation stands strong with women making up **54.9%** of teachers and girls accounting for **48.4%** of student enrolment.

The **Ministry of Education** developed **UDISE+** as a comprehensive national digital database for school statistics across government and private institutions.
It tracks data from pre-primary to higher secondary levels to enable effective policy design and resource allocation.
This platform supplies real-time data to monitor key national education programs including **NEP 2020** and **Samagra Shiksha**.

No State or Union Territory managed to score high enough to enter the top three grade bands of **Utkarsh**, **Uttam-1**, or **Uttam-2**.
**Chandigarh** achieved the highest score nationwide, placing in the **Uttam-3** grade band.
All States and Union Territories scored above the lowest bands, ensuring no region fell into **Akanshi-2** or **Akanshi-3**.

Developed by the **Department of School Education and Literacy**, **PGI 2.0** serves as a composite tool to evaluate state education systems.
First introduced in **2017**, this system was revised under **PGI 2.0** to match the goals of **NEP 2020**.
The framework assesses states across **73 indicators** spread over **6 domains** worth a cumulative **1,000 points**.
It integrates with portals like **UDISE+**, **National Achievement Survey**, **PM POSHAN**, and **Vidyanjali** for direct data verification.
States are classified into **10 levels** ranging from **Utkarsh** down to **Akanshi-3** to highlight educational quality over physical facilities.

Student retention drops sharply from **98.5%** at early levels down to **51.9%** at the Secondary stage, creating a massive drop-off cliff.
Weak foundational reading skills in early grades prevent students from coping with higher classes, driving learning poverty and dropouts by Class 9.
The lack of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy creates learning fatigue among students entering complex secondary curricula.
Over **1 lakh** schools in India continue to operate with a single teacher, creating structural burnout and low teaching quality.
More than **40%** of schools lack necessary disability friendly infrastructure for **Children with Special Needs**.
High structural infrastructure access has not translated into quality learning outcomes as shown by low overall PGI scores.
A large **31.4%** performance gap separates top performer **Chandigarh** from lower ranked states like **Meghalaya**, **Bihar**, and **West Bengal**.
Low scoring districts lack financial resources and administrative support required to upgrade classrooms and train teachers.

Implementation of the mandatory schooling rights under the **Right to Education Act, 2009**.
Funding school interventions and infrastructure through the flagship **Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan**.
Nutritional support through the nationwide **PM POSHAN** scheme to retain students in class.
Targeted residential schooling for underprivileged girls through **Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas**.

Merge single-teacher schools into consolidated cluster schools and expand the **APAAR** unique student identity framework.
Accelerate the **NIPUN Bharat Mission** for early numeracy while utilizing the **PARAKH** competency evaluation framework.
Fill teacher vacancies through mission mode recruitment and mandate continuous training via the **DIKSHA** digital portal.
Introduce vocational training from Class VI onwards while improving infrastructure for **Children with Special Needs**.
Institute third party academic audits at the Panchayat level to tie **Samagra Shiksha** funding directly to verified learning results.

India has expanded structural school access significantly, but fulfilling **NEP 2020** targets requires shifting complete administrative focus toward quality learning outcomes and inclusive regional development.