Let me show you two maps I created using UDISE+ (the Unified District Information System for Education) data — and trust me, they’ll make you see things differently.
The UDISE+ website is a treasure trove for anyone curious about schools in their area. Get this - your own school is almost definitely listed there, with detailed insights that are otherwise impossible to find. You can find everything from school strength to teacher qualifications to facilities — all in one place.
But fair warning: the data isn’t perfect. For instance, I noticed that my sister's alma mater, Convent of Jesus and Mary in Ambala, is hilariously listed as Convent of Jesus and "Merry.” She definitely didn't have that merry a time there. So, while UDISE+ is a brilliant starting point, take its details with a pinch of salt (and maybe a chuckle).
Now, onto the maps. The first visualization I made shows the number of schools per 1,000 people across India’s states. A few things stand out immediately. Firstly, there seem to be many more schools per capita in our mountains... Ladakh, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh have very high numbers, compared to our other river plains.
But this was shocking to me - Kerala, India’s literacy superstar, has just 0.44 schools per 1,000 people — one of the lowest in the country. But don’t let that number fool you. Kerala’s stellar literacy rate suggests that it’s not about having more schools but rather having well-functioning ones. Quality over quantity, anyone?
On the other hand, states like Bihar (0.75) and Uttar Pradesh (1.08) lag behind in both the number of schools per capita and educational outcomes... So no surprises there. A lot of work to be done to catch up to the national average.
But my main concern isn’t just about having more schools, but having BETTER, more MODERN schools, connected to the world to help students keep up with modern educational demands. Which is why my second map tackles a more modern metric: the percentage of schools with internet access. Unsurprisingly, the more urbanized and affluent states lead the pack. Tamil Nadu and Kerala boast nearly 100% internet coverage in their schools, demonstrating the importance of forward-looking infrastructure. Note how neither of these states have a LOT of schools - but they're definitely equipping all the schools with tech. Gujarat isn’t far behind at 93.9%.
But once again, the tragedy of the North continues. Bihar (18.5%) and West Bengal (17.5%) lag significantly, painting a stark digital divide. It’s a sad reminder that while some students are attending Zoom classes, others are struggling with basic connectivity.
It’s also worth noting that the prosperous southern trio of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh dominate this chart, showing some evidence for their focus on infrastructure and education. I did get surprised that Karnataka and Telangana are lagging seriously behind, but I am not sure why that is.
Here's the rub. Firstly - more schools don’t guarantee better outcomes. Kerala proves this beautifully. And secondly, the digital divide is real. In an era where online education is no longer optional, it’s alarming to see such disparities in internet access. It also hints at the likely backwardness of information and knowledge in these areas. I worry about the shock these students will get once they attempt to enter the workforce and earn a livelihood.
Go and explore the UDISE+ data yourself! These maps are just one way to slice the information, but there’s so much more to uncover. Whether you’re a data nerd or just someone curious about education in India, there’s a story waiting for you in those numbers.
Who knows, maybe you’ll spot a few more “Merry” schools along the way.
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