UDISE+ 2024-25 report

Context: The UDISE+ 2024-25 report released by the Ministry of Education highlights critical gaps in India’s school infrastructure, digital access, and teacher availability.

About UDISE+ 2024-25 report:

What it is?

• Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) is an annual national data system for school education (Grades I–XII).

• It covers infrastructure, enrolment, teacher strength, training, digital readiness, health facilities, and learning environment across government, aided, and private schools.

Key Trends (2024-25):

• Digital Divide: Only 65% of schools have computers; just 58% functional. Internet access: 63% overall; Gov. schools (58.6%) vs. private (77.1%).

• Only 65% of schools have computers; just 58% functional.

• Internet access: 63% overall; Gov. schools (58.6%) vs. private (77.1%).

• Infrastructure: Toilets: 98.6%, Hand-wash: 95.9%, Drinking water: 99%. Yet, >25,000 schools lack working electricity.

• Toilets: 98.6%, Hand-wash: 95.9%, Drinking water: 99%.

• Yet, >25,000 schools lack working electricity.

• Enrolment Concerns: 5.1% schools have <10 students. Zero-enrolment schools common in Ladakh (32.2%), Arunachal & Uttarakhand (22%).

• 5.1% schools have <10 students.

• Zero-enrolment schools common in Ladakh (32.2%), Arunachal & Uttarakhand (22%).

• Teacher Shortages: PTR fine at primary (20:1) but alarming in higher classes: Jharkhand (47:1), Maharashtra & Odisha (37:1). RTE norm = 30:1; NEP recommends 20–25:1.

• PTR fine at primary (20:1) but alarming in higher classes: Jharkhand (47:1), Maharashtra & Odisha (37:1).

• RTE norm = 30:1; NEP recommends 20–25:1.

• Teacher Training: National average ~91% trained. Meghalaya lowest (72% at primary, 80% at upper-primary).

• National average ~91% trained.

• Meghalaya lowest (72% at primary, 80% at upper-primary).

• Regional Variation: South (Kerala, Tamil Nadu) near universal coverage of toilets, internet. Eastern & NE states lag behind: West Bengal (18.6% internet), Meghalaya (26.4%).

• South (Kerala, Tamil Nadu) near universal coverage of toilets, internet.

• Eastern & NE states lag behind: West Bengal (18.6% internet), Meghalaya (26.4%).

• Health Support: Medical check-ups in only 75.5% schools; Bihar (32.7%), Nagaland (44.9%).

• Medical check-ups in only 75.5% schools; Bihar (32.7%), Nagaland (44.9%).

Relevance in UPSC:

• GS-II (Governance, Education, RTE, NEP 2020) Highlights state capacity issues, digital divide, dropout challenges. Useful for answers on SDG-4 (Quality Education) and inclusive growth.

• Highlights state capacity issues, digital divide, dropout challenges.

• Useful for answers on SDG-4 (Quality Education) and inclusive growth.

• GS-III (Human Resource Development) Data helps in writing about demographic dividend, skill formation, and productivity.

• Data helps in writing about demographic dividend, skill formation, and productivity.

• GS-IV (Ethics & Public Administration) Case reference for “equity in education” and role of civil servants in bridging gaps.

• Case reference for “equity in education” and role of civil servants in bridging gaps.