Govt Approves Over 1.46 Lakh Smart Classrooms Nationwide Under Samagra Shiksha Scheme

New Delhi: In a significant step toward strengthening digital education across India, especially in rural areas, the government has approved the setup of 1,46,040 smart classrooms under the Samagra Shiksha scheme as of May 31, 2025. The update was shared in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while responding to a parliamentary question, revealed state-wise figures, noting that Maharashtra has 5,155 approved smart classrooms, Madhya Pradesh has 9,531, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli has 192.

To support this initiative, the government has allocated a non-recurring grant of ₹2.4 lakh for the installation of two smart classrooms per school. Additionally, schools receive a recurring grant of ₹38,000 annually, which covers expenses such as digital content, electricity, and maintenance.

The Samagra Shiksha scheme, launched in 2018-19, is an integrated program aimed at improving school education from pre-primary to Class 12, including institutions in rural and remote areas. The scheme is designed to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which focuses on inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education.

Pradhan also mentioned that under Budget 2025, the government has proposed expanding broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools in rural India through the BharatNet project. This move is expected to significantly enhance digital infrastructure and accessibility in underserved regions.

To bridge local gaps, the Centre has advised all State and UT governments to assess their specific needs and implement region-specific strategies to improve digital access for both students and teachers.

The NEP 2020 also calls for robust investment in areas such as online platforms, digital repositories, virtual labs, and online assessments, which are being supported under Samagra Shiksha through dedicated funding for digital literacy programs for students, teachers, and stakeholders.