Chandigarh’s “Gold Standard” approach in School Education

Y.S. Rana
CHANDIGARH: "From classrooms to campus facilities, Chandigarh has once again set the gold standard for Indian education. Reclaiming its crown in the latest PGI 2.0 report, the city continues to lead the nation by turning policy focus into classroom excellence".
Officially Chandigarh is at the top of the class! The Ministry of Education has released 2024–25 Performance Grading Index and Chandigarh has secured its position as a national leader in school education, proving that its commitment to student success is second to none.
The report substantiates Chandigarh as a model for the nation. Chandigarh’s school education system has once again been ranked among the best in India. As per the report
Chandigarh secured an impressive 739.1 points in 2024–25, maintaining its place in the prestigious PRACHESTA-1 category, compared to 702.9 points in 2023–24, reflecting a substantial 36.2-point increase (5.15 per cent growth) within a year.
Learning Outcomes - Quality 103.6 110.6 +7.0 thus is a top performers in national standing.
A major highlight is Chandigarh’s performance vis-à-vis other states: With 739.1 points,
Chandigarh is the only UT which has secured a place in the PRACHESTA-1 category with
Punjab (709.1), underlining the effectiveness of its education, governance and institutional reforms.
Domain-wise Performance (2024–25)
Chandigarh showcased strong and balanced performance across key educational domains:
• Equity: 239.8/260 (UTKARSH) – exceptional achievement
• Access: 72.5/80 (UTTAM-1) – 90.6% efficiency
• Teacher Education & Training: 85.5/100 (UTTAM-1)
• Infrastructure & Facilities: 147.5/190 (UTTAM-2)
• Governance Processes: 83.2/130 (UTTAM-3)
• Learning Outcomes & Quality: 110.6/240 (PRACHESTA-2)
Notably, Chandigarh achieved UTTAM or above in five out of six domains, with no domain below PRACHESTA-2, reflecting a well-rounded and resilient education ecosystem.
The sharp upward trajectory in a single year highlights Chandigarh Administration’s focused efforts in improving learning outcomes, ensuring equitable access, strengthening teacher capacity, and modernizing school governance.
The Education Department, Chandigarh Administration remains steadfast in its mission to deliver inclusive, high-quality and future-ready education for every child.