A UDISE code is the unique 11-digit number given to each school in UDISE+, the Ministry of Education’s school database. It identifies the school in every UDISE+ record and report, and it stays with the school from year to year.
How the digits are arranged
The code is built from location codes followed by the school’s own number. The first two digits are the state code, and the next two are the district. The remaining digits identify the block or area, the village or ward, and finally the school. Because the code is built this way, schools in the same district share the same first four digits.
UDISE code, PEN and APAAR: not the same thing
- UDISE code: identifies a school.
- PEN (Permanent Education Number): identifies a student in UDISE+. It is generated by the system and stays with the student when they change schools. See PEN explained.
- APAAR ID: a 12-digit student ID created from the student’s UDISE+ record and stored in DigiLocker. See APAAR explained.
How a new school gets a code
New schools are registered through UDISE+ by the district and verified by the state, and the code is then issued. Read more in our new school registration guide.
Finding a school’s code
Use the official Know Your School search or our code finder. See how to find a UDISE code.
