Key Highlights
The Union Ministry of Education has released the Performance Grading Index (PGI) for 2025-26, placing Delhi among the better-performing states and union territories. However, the accompanying data reveals critical areas needing attention, including a decline in foundational stage enrolment and a drop in student retention at the secondary level.
Performance Grading Index 2025-26: Overview
The PGI evaluates states and UTs across 70 indicators covering learning outcomes, access, infrastructure, equity, governance, and teacher education. Instead of assigning ranks, the Ministry groups them into performance grades. This year, no state or UT achieved the top three grades — Utkarsh, Uttam-1, or Uttam-2. Only one state/UT reached the highest-performing 'Uttam-3' category. Delhi was placed in the next performance band alongside Punjab, Kerala, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
Enrolment Trends: Mixed Picture
The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the foundational stage (pre-primary to Class 2) declined from 104.8 in 2023-24 to 102.8 in 2024-25. Officials advised Delhi to improve enrolment by analyzing class-wise trends and using data from the Poshan Tracker, which records Anganwadi centre enrolments. In contrast, enrolment improved at higher stages: preparatory stage (Classes III-V) GER rose from 51 to 52.2; middle stage (VI-VIII) from 106.8 to 115; and secondary stage (IX-XII) from 91 to 91.7. The review recommended continued efforts to boost participation at both foundational and secondary levels.
Retention Rate: Secondary Level a Concern
Delhi recorded a 100% retention rate at foundational, preparatory, and middle stages, but this dropped to 86% at the secondary stage. The Ministry described this as an area of concern and advised a detailed analysis of dropout reasons, especially during the transition to secondary education. It also noted a decline in government school enrolment over the past three years.
District-Level Performance
Four Delhi districts were among the 19 districts nationwide that reached the 'Uttam-2' performance grade in 2025-26. Overall, 462 districts improved their scores compared to the previous year, though none achieved the highest 'Utkarsh' grade.
Data Sources and Framework
The PGI framework relies on data from UDISE+, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, PM POSHAN portal, PRABANDH, and Vidyanjali. The Ministry emphasizes that the grading system helps states and districts identify strengths and gaps rather than competing through numerical rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Performance Grading Index (PGI)? PGI is a framework by the Union Ministry of Education that evaluates states and UTs on 70 indicators across learning outcomes, access, infrastructure, equity, governance, and teacher education, grouping them into performance grades instead of ranks.
- Which category did Delhi achieve in PGI 2025-26? Delhi was placed in the 'Uttam-3' category, the second-highest performance band, alongside Punjab, Kerala, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
- What are the key concerns highlighted for Delhi in PGI 2025-26? The report flags a decline in Gross Enrolment Ratio at the foundational stage (from 104.8 to 102.8) and a drop in retention rate at the secondary stage (100% to 86%).
- How many Delhi districts achieved top grades in district-level PGI? Four districts in Delhi were among the 19 districts nationwide that reached the 'Uttam-2' performance grade in 2025-26.