**Executive Summary:**
This document is a response from the Minister of Education to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding Assam's performance in the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 for FY 2024-25. It addresses concerns about Assam's PGI ranking, factors contributing to its performance, teacher shortages, and steps taken to improve the state's educational outcomes. The response references data from 2022-23 and 2023-24, highlighting improvements in Assam's overall score.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0:**
* The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) uses a 73-indicator based PGI 2.0 to assess States/UTs performance in school education.
* Assam attained Akanshi-2 grade in PGI 2.0 for 2023-24, with an improved overall score from 498.8 in 2022-23 to 511.5 in 2023-24.
* Domain-wise performance details are available at https:spgi.udiseplus.gov.in.
* **Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR):**
* The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 mandates PTR norms of 30:1 for primary and 35:1 for upper primary levels.
* NEP 2020 aims for a PTR of under 30:1 at each school, and under 25:1 in areas with socio-economically disadvantaged students.
* As per UDISE 2023-24, Assam's PTR by level is: Primary (19), Upper Primary (13), Secondary (11), Higher Secondary (18).
* **Central Government Initiatives:**
* The Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education, Samagra Shiksha, provides financial assistance to States/UTs for various activities, including school infrastructure, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Avasiya Vidyalayas, PMJANMAN hostels, Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan hostels, free uniforms, textbooks, and transport.
* PM POSHAN provides one hot cooked meal in Government and Government aided schools to students at the elementary level of education, including Balvatika.
* Under PM SHRI scheme, 382 schools in Assam have been selected for upgradation to showcase NEP 2020 components.
* **State Government Initiatives (Assam):**
* More than 1.35 lakh teachers were trained in 2024-25, aligned with NEP 2020, with a focus on FLN, pedagogy, phonics, calligraphy, and TLM use.
* Secondary teachers received subject-specific training in collaboration with IIT Guwahati, Gauhati University, Tezpur University, and NIT Silchar.
* "Shiksha Setu Axom," a digital platform, enables real-time education governance and tracks key school-level indicators.
* "Teaching at Right Level (TaRL)" initiative addresses learning gaps in Grades 3-5.
* A multi-tiered FLN strategy was implemented with SPMU and DPMUs.
* Textbooks and workbooks aligned with NCFFS were developed, and students received numeracy TLMs.
* Digital learning is expanded through ICT Labs, Smart Classes, and Tele-Education facilities.
* E-content for Classes IX-XII is developed and disseminated through Smart Class enabled schools.
* Content is made accessible through a partnership with 'Mission Gyan' and the 'eKaksha App'.
* Live 2D/3D tele-classes in regional languages are broadcast to schools.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL):**
* *Impact:* DoSEL is responsible for preparing the PGI, monitoring States/UTs performance, and implementing centrally sponsored schemes.
* *Action Required:* Continue to refine the PGI, analyze data to identify areas for improvement, and provide targeted support to States/UTs.
* **State Government of Assam:**
* *Impact:* The State Government is responsible for implementing educational policies and initiatives at the state level and improving its PGI ranking.
* *Action Required:* Continue implementing and refining initiatives such as teacher training, digital learning, and the TaRL program; monitor the "Shiksha Setu Axom" platform for real-time data; and address any remaining structural gaps in the education system.
* **Schools and Teachers in Assam:**
* *Impact:* Schools and teachers are directly impacted by the initiatives and policies aimed at improving learning outcomes and infrastructure.
* *Action Required:* Participate in training programs, utilize digital resources, implement the TaRL approach, and create a supportive learning environment.
* **Students in Assam:**
* *Impact:* Students are the ultimate beneficiaries of improved educational policies, infrastructure, and teaching quality.
* *Action Required:* Engage actively in the learning process, utilize available resources, and benefit from a more equitable and inclusive education system.
Key Entities Referenced
Assam: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of its performance in the Performance Grading Index (PGI) and various educational initiatives.
Performance Grading Index PGI 2.0: An index used by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education to measure the performance of States/UTs in school education.
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education RTE Act, 2009: An Act of the Parliament of India enacted to provide free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right.
National Education Policy NEP 2020: A comprehensive framework for education in India, aiming to transform the education system.
Unified District Information System for Education Plus UDISE: A system developed by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education to record data on indicators of school education provided by all States and Union Territories.
Samagra Shiksha: An Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy.
Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman PM POSHAN: A scheme to provide one hot cooked meal in Government and Government aided schools to students at the elementary level of education.
IIT Guwahati: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, an institute that collaborated with Assam for subject-specific teacher training.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 220
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
Performance Grading Index
*220. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that Assam was placed in the second-lowest category of
the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 conducted in FY 2024-25;
(b) the details of the key factors that contributed to Assam's poor performance;
(c) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the severe shortage of school teachers in
Assam and its impact on learning outcomes and retention; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to address these structural gaps and improve
performance of Assam in future PGI assessments?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) TO (D) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 220 ANSWERED ON 04/08/2025 ASKED BY HONB’LE
MP MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN REGARDING ‘PERFORMANCE GRADING INDEX’.
(a) & (b): The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education
has prepared 73-indicator based Performance Grading Index 2.0 for States/UTs to measure key
driving performance and critical areas of school education at State/UT level. The domain-wise
performance of the States/UTs including Assam in PGI 2.0 combined report for the year 2022-
23 & 2023-24 can be accessed at https://spgi.udiseplus.gov.in.
Further, Assam has attained Akanshi-2 grade in PGI 2.0 for the year 2023–24. It is
noteworthy that the State’s overall score improved from 498.8 in 2022–23 to 511.5 in 2023–24,
reflecting consistent progress and growth across key domains.
(c) & (d): As per Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, the
Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) Norms for Primary and upper primary level are 30:1 and 35:1
respectively. Also, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, in para 2.4, inter alia states that “A
pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) of under 30:1 will be ensured at the level of each school; areas having
large number of socio-economically disadvantaged students will aim for a PTR of under 25:1.”
The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education has
developed the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) system to
record data on indicators of school education provided by all the States and Union Territories.
As per UDISE+ 2023-24, PTR by level of education in the state of Assam is as under:
State Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) by level of education
Primary Upper Primary Secondary Higher Secondary
Assam 19 13 11 18
The Department of School Education and Literacy with effect from 2018-19 is
implementing an Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education- Samagra
Shiksha. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to States and UTs for undertaking
various activities, including opening/strengthening of new schools upto senior secondary level,
construction of school buildings & additional classrooms, setting up, up-gradation and running
of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, setting up of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Avasiya
Vidyalayas, Construction of hostels under PM-JANMAN, construction of hostels under Dharti
Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan for unsaturated ST population, free uniforms, free text
books, transport allowance and undertaking enrolment & retention drives.
Under ‘Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman’ (PM POSHAN) one hot cooked meal in
Government and Government aided schools is provided to students at the elementary level of
education, including Balvatika.
Also, under PM SHRI scheme, 382 PM SHRI schools from the State of Assam have
been selected for upgradation to showcase all the components of the National Education Policy
2020. These schools focus on cognitive development and creating holistic and well- rounded
individuals equipped with key 21st century skills. The scheme focuses on creating an equitable,
inclusive, and joyful learning environment that caters to diverse backgrounds, multilingual
needs, and varied academic abilities. These schools are designed to engage students actively in
their learning process, ensuring that every child feels welcomed, cared for, and supported in a
safe and stimulating environment.Further, State Government of Assam has taken up various initiatives and focused interventions
to address systemic gaps and further strengthen State’s educational performance. Some of the
major initiatives include the following-
Under a structured NEP 2020-aligned initiative, trainings have been imparted to more than 1.35
lakh teachers in the year 2024-25, including 1.29 lakh teachers, who were trained, particularly
on FLN, pedagogy, phonics, calligraphy and TLM use. Similarly, subject-specific training was
imparted to secondary teachers also, in collaboration with institutions like IIT Guwahati,
Gauhati University, Tezpur University, and NIT Silchar-marking one of the state's largest
teacher development efforts.
Assam has operationalised ‘Shiksha Setu Axom', a state-of-the-art digital platform for real-time
education governance. It enables automated tracking of key school-level indicators, including
student and teacher attendance, infrastructure status etc.
To close learning gaps in Grades 3-5, Assam is implementing 'Teaching at Right Level (TaRL)'
initiative, shifting from grade-based to learning-level-based teaching.
Assam adopted a multi-tiered FLN strategy with SPMU and DPMUs for local implementation.
Aligned with NCF-FS, textbooks and workbooks were developed, and students received 16
numeracy TLMs. Schools got 12 additional TLMs and literacy kits with big books, charts,
flashcards, and activity books to strengthen instruction.
Govt. of Assam has expanded digital learning through ICT Labs, Smart Classes, and Tele-
Education facilities in government schools. E-content for Classes I-XII across Smart Class-
enabled schools have been developed and disseminated. Through a partnership with 'Mission
Gyan' and the 'e-Kaksha App', content is made accessible at school levels. Live 2D/3D tele-
classes in regional languages are broadcast to schools through Tele-Classroom infrastructure.
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