PGI indicators in UDISE are the 73 data points the Ministry of Education uses to grade every state and union territory on school education performance. The Performance Grading Index (PGI 2.0) pulls this data directly from UDISE+, then scores states across six domains — from learning outcomes to infrastructure — on a 1,000-point scale.
Key Takeaways
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scale | PGI 2.0 uses 73 indicators across six domains, worth 1,000 points total |
| Data sources | UDISE+ is the primary source, alongside NAS, PM POSHAN, and Vidyanjali |
| Grading scale | 10 levels, from Akanshi-3 (lowest) to Utkarsh (highest) |
| 2025-26 results | No state reached the top three grades — Chandigarh led at Uttam-3 |
| Why it matters to schools | Accurate DCF data entry at the school level directly affects a state’s PGI score |
What Is the Performance Grading Index (PGI)?
The PGI is the Ministry of Education’s annual scorecard for school education across India. It doesn’t rank individual schools — it grades states and union territories on how well their education systems perform, using data every school already reports through UDISE+.
The current version, PGI 2.0, replaced the earlier PGI framework to align more closely with the National Education Policy 2020. Consequently, the indicators now weigh learning outcomes and equity more heavily than the original index did.
The Six PGI Domains
PGI 2.0 spreads its 1,000 points across six domains. Each domain draws on different sections of UDISE+ data, which is why accurate DCF submissions matter well beyond a single school’s own records.
| Domain | Weightage | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 260 points | Access and outcomes across gender, social category, and disability |
| Learning Outcomes & Quality | 240 points | Academic performance, drawn largely from National Achievement Survey data |
| Infrastructure & Facilities | 190 points | Classrooms, toilets, water, electricity, and digital infrastructure |
| Governance Processes | 130 points | Administrative efficiency, transparency, and monitoring systems |
| Teacher Education & Training | 100 points | Teacher qualification, training coverage, and professional development |
| Access | 80 points | Enrollment reach and school availability across regions |
How States Are Graded
PGI uses a 10-level grading scale based on the percentage of total points scored. Utkarsh (91-100%) sits at the top; Akanshi-3 (up to 10%) sits at the bottom. In the 2025-26 cycle, no state or union territory reached the top three grades — Chandigarh recorded the highest score nationally, landing at Uttam-3.
That gap between the top grade and the best actual performance says something important: PGI is deliberately calibrated to be hard to max out, so states have room to keep improving year over year rather than plateauing at a perfect score.
Where the Data Actually Comes From
PGI doesn’t collect its own data. It draws from four existing systems that are already tracking schools:
- UDISE+ — school profile, enrollment, infrastructure, and teacher data from the annual DCF.
- National Achievement Survey (NAS) — learning outcome assessments.
- PM POSHAN — mid-day meal scheme coverage and delivery data.
- Vidyanjali — community and volunteer participation in schools.
Because UDISE+ feeds so many of these indicators directly, gaps or errors in a school’s DCF entry propagate all the way up to the state’s PGI score. A single school’s incomplete infrastructure data won’t swing a state’s grade on its own, but incomplete data at scale absolutely does.
Why PGI Matters Beyond the Scorecard
States use their PGI results to identify weak domains and redirect Samagra Shiksha funding accordingly. A state scoring poorly on Infrastructure & Facilities, for example, typically sees increased grant allocation toward school buildings and facilities in the following budget cycle. Therefore, PGI functions less like a report card and more like a planning tool for the following year.
Common Misunderstandings About PGI
| Misunderstanding | Reality |
|---|---|
| PGI ranks individual schools | PGI grades states and union territories, not individual institutions |
| PGI and UDISE+ are the same system | UDISE+ is a data source; PGI is a separate scoring framework built on top of it |
| A perfect score is achievable | The scale is intentionally difficult to max out — no state has reached the top grade |
| PGI only measures academics | Learning outcomes are one of six domains, alongside equity, infrastructure, and governance |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PGI stand for in UDISE?
PGI stands for Performance Grading Index — a Ministry of Education framework that grades states and union territories on school education performance using UDISE+ and other data sources.
How many indicators does PGI 2.0 use?
PGI 2.0 uses 73 indicators grouped across six domains, with a combined weightage of 1,000 points.
Does PGI grade individual schools?
No. PGI grades states and union territories as a whole, not individual schools. Individual school performance appears separately on the UDISE+ School Report Card.
What is the highest PGI grade a state can receive?
The highest grade is Utkarsh, awarded for scoring 91-100% of total points. No state has reached this grade as of the 2025-26 cycle.
How does UDISE+ data affect a state’s PGI score?
UDISE+ feeds several PGI domains directly, including infrastructure, access, and equity indicators. Incomplete or inaccurate school-level DCF data can lower the accuracy and outcome of a state’s score.
Where can I see my state’s PGI grade?
PGI reports are published by the Ministry of Education and are typically referenced alongside state-wise UDISE+ data for the same academic year.
Conclusion
PGI indicators translate everyday UDISE+ data entry into a national scorecard for school education. The six domains, 73 indicators, and 1,000-point scale exist to give states a clear, comparable picture of where they stand — and where the next round of funding and policy attention should go. For schools, the practical takeaway is simple: the DCF you file every year isn’t just paperwork, it’s one of the inputs states are graded on nationally.
