Parliament Question: Smart Classrooms and Atal Tinkering Labs in PM SHRI Schools

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 170 ANSWERED ON – 20/07/2026 Smart Classrooms and Atal Tinkering Labs in PM SHRI Schools †170. Shri Lalji Verma: Shri Harendra Singh Malik: Shri Ajendra Singh Lodhi: Shri Neeraj Maurya: Shri Devesh Shakya: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that under the PM SHRI Scheme, the smart classrooms and Atal Tinkering Lab infrastructure in the selected schools of Uttar Pradesh are not being fully utilised due to the shortage of technical teachers and laboratory assistants, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether data is available, against the total budgetary allocation of Rs. 27,360 crore at the national level, regarding schools where digital learning is affected due to the lack of electricity and internet connectivity, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the 'Challenge Mode' process adopted for the selection of schools in rural and backward blocks has resulted in the exclusion of schools with the greatest need for development, if so, the details thereof; and (d) the number of schools in Ambedkar Nagar, Muzaffarnagar, Hamirpur Aonla, Etah Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh in which Atal Tinkering Labs have been proposed and the number of schools provided ten lakh each towards establishment and ten lakh each towards operational expenditure for a period of five years and the details of list thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) As informed by the State of Uttar Pradesh, Nodal teachers, trained in tinkering activities, are conducting ATL sessions in PM SHRI Senior Secondary Schools having ATLs. Further, Smart Classrooms teaching is being carried out in PM SHRI Senior Secondary Schools in theState. Detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued to schools for usage of ICT and Smart Classes vide Letter No. Samagra Shiksha (Secondary)/288-89/2026-27 dated 11 May, 2026. In addition, DIOS login has been provided to DIOS (District Inspectors of Schools) for online monitoring at the district level thereby ensuring quality online classroom teaching. (b) Under the PM SHRI Scheme, schools are selected from among eligible schools based on prescribed minimum benchmarks available through UDISE+ data. Electricity supply in working condition is one of the minimum benchmarks for selection as a PM SHRI School. Further, as reported by States/UTs, every PM SHRI school has internet connectivity. (c) Under PM SHRI scheme, schools are selected through transparent challenge method wherein schools compete for support to become exemplar schools. As of now, 13,092 PM SHRI (1305 primary, 3102 elementary, 3141 secondary and 5544 Senior secondary) schools have been selected from 8350 blocks/ULBs through this method. These PM SHRI schools showcase all the initiatives of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and also offer benchmarking leadership to other schools in the neighbourhood. (d) As per information provided by State of Uttar Pradesh, the PM SHRI schools in which Atal Tinkering Labs have been proposed and functioning under PM SHRI scheme in the indicated parliamentary constituencies are as follows: S.No. Parliamentary District PM SHRI School Name Status of Atal Constituency Tinkering Lab Muzaffarnagar Muzaffarnagar GIC Muzaffarnagar Circular Fully Functional 1 Road, Mahavir Chowk Hamirpur Hamirpur Pt. DDU Model Inter Fully Functional 2 College, Imliya *****