Over 1,200 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and 600 Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) have been mapped onto the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Portal . Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary confirmed this development in the Lok Sabha on Monday. This initiative aims to enhance digital audits and improve infrastructure planning for these central government schools across India.
The Department of School Education and Literacy, under the Ministry of Education, spearheaded this mapping effort. This move establishes a consolidated platform. Other government ministries, departments, and states can now access crucial school data layers. This access supports informed decision-making and project planning related to educational infrastructure and resource allocation.
Understanding PM Gati Shakti
The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan launched in October 2021. Its fundamental goal is to bring synergy and synchronization to infrastructure planning and execution nationwide. The portal integrates various data layers from different government agencies. It offers a comprehensive view for large-scale development projects, including those within the education sector. This ensures projects are planned holistically, reducing delays and optimizing resource use.
Scope of School Mapping
Specifically, 1,222 Kendriya Vidyalayas and 634 Navodaya Vidyalayas are now mapped on the PM Gati Shakti portal. These figures represent a significant portion of the total 1,290 KVs and 662 NVs currently operating across the country. KVs serve children of transferable central government employees, while NVs focus on talented children from rural areas. The mapping process captures essential details using 41 distinct attributes within the portal.
These attributes offer deep insights into school operations and facilities. They include geoinformatic information systems (GIS) data visualization, providing geographical insights into school locations and surrounding infrastructure. Other key data points cover school-wise and gender-wise enrollment numbers, the total number of teaching staff, and detailed descriptions of available infrastructure facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and playgrounds. This comprehensive data collection supports detailed analysis and strategic planning for educational development.
Mapping on Government Land Information System (GLIS)
Beyond the PM Gati Shakti portal, school land parcels and buildings are also mapped on the Government Land Information System (GLIS) portal . This platform maintains official records of government-owned land and structures, providing a clear inventory of physical assets.
The GLIS portal now features 1,201 land parcels and 8,105 buildings belonging to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan. Similarly, 659 land parcels of the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti have been integrated into GLIS. This dual mapping ensures a complete digital record of both operational data and physical assets for these vital educational institutions, aiding in asset management and future development.
Recent Developments in School Infrastructure
The Ministry of Education continues to expand and upgrade its educational facilities. Recently, 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas received approval. This expansion involves a significant budget outlay of approximately Rs 5862.55 crore, allocated for the next nine years. These new schools will enhance access to quality education in various regions, catering to increasing demand.
Additionally, 913 Kendriya Vidyalayas and 620 Navodaya Vidyalayas have been upgraded under the PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme . This scheme aims to transform existing schools into exemplar institutions, equipped with modern infrastructure and innovative pedagogical approaches, further benefiting students and communities by setting high standards for education delivery.