Problem
Digital infrastructure in schools lags far behind basic infrastructure, and government schools lag private schools
- National
Basic amenities are now close to universal in UDISE+ reporting — toilets, drinking water and electricity all above ninety per cent — but functional computers reached only 64.7% of schools and internet 63.5% in 2024-25. Both rose sharply year on year, from 57.2% and 53.9% respectively, so this is a fast-improving gap rather than a static one. The gap is systematically wider for government schools than private ones, which matters because government schools educate the majority of Indian schoolchildren. Evidence confidence: High — consistent primary UDISE+ figures across two consecutive report years.
3 sub-problems within this
Facilities recorded as present are not always functional, and the reporting distinguishes the two
UDISE+ reports both presence and functionality for several facilities, and the two figures differ — electricity present in a higher share of schools than electricity functional, computers present in more schools than computers usable for teaching. A facility that exists but does not work is not available to the child. Any target or claim built on presence figures alone overstates what schools actually have. Evidence confidence: High — the distinction is drawn in the primary data itself.
Tens of thousands of schools still have no functional electricity, concentrated in particular states
Electricity is reported in over ninety per cent of schools, which still leaves tens of thousands without it, heavily concentrated in a small number of states with Uttar Pradesh the largest contributor. Every digital initiative in schools depends on this being solved first. The reported percentage differs slightly between UDISE+ rounds and between reporting of them, so cite the round rather than a bare number. Evidence confidence: High for the pattern and its state concentration; state-level counts should be read from the primary tables.
Around half of schools lack ramps with handrails, limiting access for children with disabilities
UDISE+ 2023-24 recorded ramps with handrails in 52.3% of schools. Accessibility infrastructure is the furthest behind of the facilities the survey tracks, well below toilets, water and electricity. Evidence confidence: High for the figure as reported in UDISE+ 2023-24; the corresponding 2024-25 figure was not separately confirmed and should be read from the current report.
Who is responsible
- Ministry of Education — Department of School Education & Literacy · Ministry or DepartmentSamagra Shiksha ICT component
- State Education Departments · State Government
- Department of Telecommunications · Ministry or DepartmentConnectivity backhaul, outside the education ministry
Evidence and sources
- UDISE+ 2024-25 National Report — school facilities · Official data or datasetMinistry of Education. Computers 64.7%, internet 63.5%.
- UDISE+ 2023-24 National Report — school facilities · Official data or datasetPrior-year comparison: computers 57.2%, internet 53.9%.
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