Punjab Tops India in School Education, Surpasses Kerala in NITI Aayog Report
CHANDIGARH, May 10
In a landmark achievement for the state’s education sector, Punjab has emerged as one of India’s top-performing states in school education, with the NITI Aayog Education Quality Report 2026 ranking it ahead of Kerala on several key foundational learning indicators. Kerala has long been regarded as the benchmark for quality school education in the country.
Describing the achievement as the beginning of a “new era for Punjab” powered by systemic reforms and grassroots commitment, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “This recognition belongs to every parent, student and teacher who continued to believe in government schools. This transformation is not the result of a single day’s effort. When policy, intent and implementation move together, success follows naturally.”
Sharing highlights of the report, the minister said Punjab achieved 82% proficiency in language and 78% in mathematics among Class 3 students, outperforming Kerala, which recorded 75% and 70% respectively. In Class 9 mathematics, Punjab secured 52%, significantly ahead of Kerala’s 45%.
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Highlighting the impact of the state government’s reforms, Harjot Singh Bains stated that the Bhagwant Mann-led government’s post-pandemic initiatives, including Mission Samarth and the Schools of Eminence programme, have delivered visible and measurable outcomes.
Quoting findings from the NITI Aayog report, he said that 99.9% of Punjab’s government schools are now electrified, 99% have functional computers, and more than 80% are equipped with smart classrooms. He further noted that over 90% of students are now transitioning from Class 10 to Class 11, reflecting a major decline in dropout rates, while the student-teacher ratio has improved to an ideal 22:1.
Referring to the report’s observations, the Education Minister said NITI Aayog specifically commended Punjab for narrowing the urban-rural divide in education and ensuring equal opportunities for rural students and girls. He added that Punjab’s adoption of global best practices has significantly improved the performance of government school students in competitive examinations. So far, 786 students from government schools have cleared JEE Main, while 1,284 students have qualified NEET.
Sharing details about teacher training and infrastructure development, Harjot Singh Bains said teacher training programmes conducted in Finland and Singapore under Punjab’s education reforms are now producing strong classroom results. “This proves that our classrooms can compete with the best in the world,” he said.
The minister further added that Punjab has recruited 13,000 teachers and staff members, launched the English Edge Programme benefiting nearly three lakh students, and established 118 Schools of Eminence across the state.
“With the right policies, clear intent and strong performance, quality education becomes inevitable. Our teachers have demonstrated this through their dedication,” Harjot Singh Bains said, adding that the NITI Aayog report has now officially validated the transformation already visible on the ground. “Government school students in Punjab are no longer just catching up — they are leading the way,” he asserted.
