Internet reaches 67.4% schools, nearly one-third still without connectivity: UDISE+

The proportion of schools in India with internet connectivity reached 67.4% in the 2025-26 academic year, according to the latest Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) data. This represents a 3.9 percentage point increase from the previous year, when 63.5% of schools had internet access. However, nearly one-third of schools, or 32.6%, still lacked any internet connectivity during the same period.

The data released by the Ministry of Education highlights a growing digital infrastructure in schools, with computer facilities also increasing. The proportion of schools with computer facilities rose from 64.7% in 2024-25 to 69.9% in 2025-26, a 5.2 percentage point jump. However, around 30.1% of schools still did not have computer facilities.

While the increase in computer availability is notable, schools increasingly rely on digital platforms and online resources for teaching, learning, and administrative tasks. This creates a significant infrastructure challenge - though access to computers is expanding, reliable internet connectivity remains limited in many schools.

The UDISE+ data also shows that other basic facilities are well-covered. Drinking water was available in 99.5% of schools, girls' toilets in 98.5%, and electricity in 95% of schools in 2025-26. However, the national trend of a reduction in single-teacher schools masks significant variations across states. Five states together reduced their number of single-teacher schools by over 11,000 - more than three times the national net decline. At the same time, several other states saw increases in single-teacher schools.