UDISE+ Report
The UDISE+ Report and Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 indicate that while India has significantly improved access to school education, quality learning outcomes remain a challenge. Discuss the key findings of these reports and suggest measures to achieve the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Model Answer
Introduction
- The UDISE+ 2025–26 Report and Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 are the Ministry of Education's key tools for assessing school education in India.
- While the reports highlight improvements in enrolment, infrastructure, and teacher availability, they also reveal persistent gaps in learning outcomes, equity, and secondary-level retention, emphasizing the need for quality-centric reforms under NEP 2020.
Key Findings
Achievements
- Lower dropout rates, especially at the secondary level.
- Higher Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and improved student retention.
- Teacher strength crossed 1 crore, with improved Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR).
- Better digital and basic infrastructure in schools.
- Increased participation of women in the teaching workforce.
Performance under PGI 2.0
- No State/UT achieved the highest grades (Utkarsh, Uttam-1, Uttam-2).
- PGI emphasizes learning outcomes, equity, governance, teacher education, and infrastructure rather than mere enrolment.
- It promotes evidence-based policymaking aligned with NEP 2020.
Major Challenges
- Sharp drop in retention at the secondary stage.
- Persistent learning poverty and weak foundational literacy.
- Over one lakh single-teacher schools affecting quality.
- Inadequate accessibility for Children with Special Needs (CwSN).
- Regional disparities in educational outcomes.
- Gap between improved infrastructure and actual learning achievements.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) through the NIPUN Bharat
- Fill teacher vacancies and improve continuous teacher training via DIKSHA and ITEP.
- Consolidate low-enrolment schools into Composite Schools and strengthen School Management Committees (SMCs).
- Promote competency-based assessment through PARAKH.
- Improve infrastructure for CwSN and integrate vocational education from Class VI.
- Use APAAR for student tracking and conduct third-party academic audits for accountability.
Conclusion
India has made commendable progress in expanding educational access, but achieving the vision of NEP 2020 requires shifting the focus from schooling to learning. Strengthening foundational education, teacher quality, inclusive infrastructure, and evidence-based governance will be essential to transform demographic potential into human capital