UDISE and UDISE Plus

Education plays a vital role in shaping the future of any nation, and accurate data is essential for planning and policy-making in this sector. In India, the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) and its upgraded version UDISE Plus (UDISE+) have become the backbone of educational data management. These systems collect, store, and analyze detailed information about schools, students, teachers, and infrastructure across the country.

This article explores what UDISE and UDISE Plus are, their purpose, their modules, and why they matter.

Introduction to UDISE

The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) was launched in 2012–13 by combining two earlier systems:

• DISE (District Information System for Education), which focused on elementary education, and
• SEMIS (Secondary Education Management Information System), which covered secondary education.

By merging the two, UDISE became a single, comprehensive platform to capture data from all schools in India — from primary to higher secondary.

UDISE collects data annually and provides insights into aspects such as:

• Student enrollment
• Teacher strength and qualifications
• School infrastructure (buildings, classrooms, toilets, drinking water, etc.)
• Availability of electricity and internet
• Examination results and pass percentages

This data is then used by both central and state governments to design policies, allocate funds, and track progress in the education system.

What is UDISE Plus?

In 2018–19, the Ministry of Education launched UDISE Plus (UDISE+) as an upgraded, online, and real-time data collection system. Unlike the earlier UDISE, which relied heavily on offline manual data entry and compilation, UDISE+ allows schools to enter their data directly into a digital platform.

Key Features of UDISE Plus

1. Digital Data Collection – Schools can submit data online, ensuring faster and more accurate reporting.
2. Real-Time Updates – Data is not limited to annual cycles; schools can update information as needed.
3. Unique School Code – Every school gets an 11-digit UDISE code, which acts as its permanent identification number.
4. Transparency – Parents, researchers, and policymakers can access aggregated school data online.
5. Integration – Data can be easily linked with other government systems for monitoring education schemes.
6. Improved Planning – Real-time data helps the government make timely interventions.

Importance of UDISE and UDISE Plus

For Policymakers

• Helps in evidence-based policy-making.
• Provides accurate data for allocation of funds and resources.
• Supports monitoring of government schemes like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.

For Schools

• Acts as a digital record for school infrastructure and student enrollment.
• Helps in obtaining recognition, grants, and government benefits.
• Simplifies compliance with reporting requirements.

For Parents and Students

• Assists parents in verifying school recognition and facilities.
• Helps in choosing schools based on verified information.
• Increases transparency and accountability in the education system.

Difference Between UDISE and UDISE Plus

Feature	UDISE	UDISE Plus
Mode of Data Collection	Offline/manual	Online/digital
Frequency	Annual	Real-time and annual
Accuracy	Subject to errors during compilation	Improved accuracy due to direct online entry
School Code	Assigned but less structured	Unique 11-digit permanent code
Accessibility	Limited	Public access to verified data
Integration	Minimal	Can integrate with other digital systems

UDISE Plus Modules

UDISE+ is not just a data entry system but a set of modules that cover different aspects of education. Below are the major modules:

1. School Profile Module

This module captures all basic information about schools, including:

• School name, location, and management type (government, private, aided, etc.)
• UDISE code
• Year of establishment
• Recognition details
• Medium of instruction
• Classes offered (pre-primary to higher secondary)

2. Infrastructure Module

Covers data about physical facilities such as:

• Classrooms and their condition
• Drinking water availability
• Toilets (separate for boys and girls)
• Playground and sports facilities
• Libraries and laboratories
• Electricity and internet connectivity

3. Teacher Module

Records detailed information about teachers, including:

• Number of teachers
• Qualifications and training
• Gender distribution
• Pupil–teacher ratio
• Teachers’ professional development

4. Student Module

Provides insights into student enrollment and performance:

• Enrollment by class, gender, and social category (SC, ST, OBC, General)
• Special needs students
• Dropout rates
• Attendance and transition rates
• Examination results

5. Finance Module

Tracks financial aspects related to schools:

• Grants received under government schemes
• Utilization of funds
• Infrastructure development expenses

6. Learning Outcomes Module

Captures academic performance data:

• Board exam results
• Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) outcomes
• Literacy and numeracy assessments

7. Real-Time Monitoring Module

Allows the government to monitor:

• Progress of schemes like Mid-Day Meal (PM-POSHAN)
• Teacher attendance
• School inspection reports
• Ongoing infrastructure projects

Benefits of UDISE Plus for Different Stakeholders

For Government

• Data-driven decision-making
• Monitoring of education quality and equity
• Better tracking of schemes and programs

For Researchers

• Provides access to comprehensive datasets
• Helps in analyzing education trends across states and districts

For NGOs and Civil Society

• Assists in identifying gaps in education
• Helps in planning interventions for underprivileged children

Challenges in Implementation

Despite its advantages, UDISE+ faces some challenges:

1. Digital Divide – Not all schools, especially in rural areas, have internet access.
2. Training – Teachers and administrators need training to enter data correctly.
3. Data Reliability – Although accuracy has improved, errors and inconsistencies can still occur.
4. Overdependence on Self-Reporting – Since schools themselves input data, there is scope for misreporting.

Future of UDISE Plus

The future vision for UDISE+ includes:

• AI-powered analytics to predict dropout risks and suggest interventions.
• Integration with Aadhaar and other national databases for better tracking of students.
• Mobile-friendly data entry for schools in remote areas.
• Public dashboards offering real-time visualizations of education trends.

Conclusion

UDISE and UDISE Plus are among the most important educational data systems in India. While UDISE laid the foundation for unified school data collection, UDISE Plus has taken the process forward by making it digital, real-time, and more transparent.

From policymakers to parents, the benefits of UDISE+ are wide-ranging. Despite challenges, its role in shaping India’s education landscape cannot be overstated. As the system continues to evolve, it will not only strengthen planning and policy-making but also bring greater accountability and transparency in education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is UDISE?
UDISE stands for Unified District Information System for Education, a system introduced in 2012-13 to collect and manage school education data across India.

2. What is UDISE Plus (UDISE+)?
UDISE+ is the upgraded, online version of UDISE launched in 2018-19, offering real-time data entry and monitoring.

3. Who manages UDISE Plus?
It is managed by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

4. What kind of data does UDISE+ collect?
It collects data on schools, teachers, students, infrastructure, finances, and learning outcomes.

5. How can parents use UDISE+?
Parents can access School Report Cards (SRCs) on the UDISE+ portal to check details about schools before enrolling their children.

6. Is UDISE+ mandatory for all schools?
Yes, all recognized schools in India must register and update their information on UDISE+.

7. What is the difference between UDISE and UDISE+?
UDISE was a semi-digital system for collecting school data, while UDISE+ is fully online, real-time, and more transparent.

8. How does UDISE+ support the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020?
It provides accurate data that helps track NEP implementation, inclusivity, student outcomes, and progress toward educational goals.

9. Can private schools register on UDISE+?
Yes, both government and private schools are required to register.

10. Where can I access UDISE+ data?
UDISE+ data and School Report Cards can be accessed on the official government website: https://udiseplus.gov.in.