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The Ministry of Education released the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 report for 2022–23 and 2023–24, evaluating school education systems across States and UTs.

Key Terms & Concepts

Term	Explanation
PGI 2.0	An upgraded version of the Performance Grading Index designed to assess school education performance using data-driven indicators.
NEP 2020	National Education Policy 2020 aims to overhaul India’s education system by focusing on quality, equity, and accessibility.
UDISE+	Unified District Information System for Education Plus – a comprehensive data collection platform for school-level information.
NAS	National Achievement Survey – a national-level assessment to evaluate learning outcomes in schools.
PM POSHAN	Mid-day meal program to provide nutritional support to schoolchildren.

News Summary – PGI 2.0

Feature	Details
Developed by	Ministry of Education
Initial Launch	2017
Revamped as PGI 2.0	In 2021, aligning with NEP 2020 and SDGs
Indicators	73 indicators under 6 domains across two categories: Outcomes and Governance & Management
Grading Scale	1,000-point scale, classified into 10 grades (from Daksh to Akanshi-3)
Data Sources	NAS 2021, UDISE+, PM POSHAN data

PGI 2.0 Findings for 2023–24

Category	Details
Top Performer	Chandigarh (703 points) – retained the top rank for the third consecutive year
Next Best	Punjab (631.1), Delhi (623.7)
High Scorers (581–640)	Kerala, Gujarat, Odisha, Haryana, Goa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
No Entry in Top Band (761–1,000)	Indicates scope for improvement even among top performers
Lowest Scorers	Meghalaya (417.9), Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Bihar
Middle Performers (521–580)	Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
Score Improvement	25 of 36 States/UTs showed improvement
Disparity	Gap of over 300 points between highest and lowest scorers
Best in Access	Bihar and Telangana improved in enrolment and retention metrics
Best in Infrastructure	Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana made gains in school facilities

Government Schemes Supporting School Education

Scheme/Programme	Purpose
National Education Policy, 2020	Strategic policy to transform India’s education system
Samagra Shiksha	Integrated scheme for school education (pre-primary to Class 12)
Mid Day Meal (PM POSHAN)	Nutritional support to schoolchildren
Eklavya Model Residential Schools	Residential education for tribal students
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship	Scholarship support for SC/ST students
National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL)	Digital learning for quality enhancement
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan	Universalisation of elementary education
PRAGYATA	Guidelines on digital education
PM SHRI Schools	Model schools under NEP for quality education

In a Nutshell – Memory Code: “PGI GRADES”

Performance gap wide
Governance & management evaluated
Indicators = 73
Grading system (Daksh to Akanshi-3)
Rising states: Telangana, Bihar
Access & Infrastructure improved
Data from NAS, UDISE+
Education equity focus
State disparities evident

Prelims Practice Questions

1. What is the maximum score possible under the PGI 2.0 framework?
   A. 800
   B. 900
   C. 1000
   D. 1100
2. Which State/UT topped the PGI 2.0 ranking for 2023–24?
   A. Delhi
   B. Punjab
   C. Chandigarh
   D. Kerala
3. PGI 2.0 was aligned with which two major policy frameworks?
   A. NEP 2020 and UGC Guidelines
   B. SDGs and Mid Day Meal Scheme
   C. NEP 2020 and SDGs
   D. PRAGYATA and NAS

Mains Practice Questions

1. PGI 2.0 reflects both the achievements and challenges of India’s school education system. Discuss with reference to the latest report. (GS 2 – Education)
2. How far have government initiatives like Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI Schools helped in reducing educational disparities across states? (GS 2 – Welfare schemes)

Prelims Answer Key & Explanation

Ques	Ans	Explanation
1	C	PGI 2.0 is scored on a scale of 1,000 points
2	C	Chandigarh topped with 703 points
3	C	PGI 2.0 aligns with NEP 2020 and SDGs