Chandigarh has once again secured the top position in school education among all states and Union territories in India. This is the fourth year in a row that the Union Territory has achieved this feat, according to the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 report for 2025-26 released by the Union Ministry of Education.
Chandigarh achieves highest grade in PGI 2.0 report
Chandigarh is the only state or Union territory in the country placed in the 'Uttam-3' category this year. This category represents a score between 61 and 70 per cent. According to Times of India, this is the highest grade attained by any state or UT, with none reaching 'Utkarsh', 'Uttam-1', or 'Uttam-2' categories.
How Chandigarh improved its performance
The grade marks a significant improvement from last year. In the PGI 2023-24 report, Chandigarh had scored 703 points, which placed it in the 'Prachesta-1' band (51-60 per cent). The climb into 'Uttam-3' this year shows a clear upward shift in the quality of school education in the Union Territory.
Other top performers in school education
Punjab, Kerala, Delhi, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu shared the second spot in the rankings. No other state or UT managed to reach the top grade achieved by Chandigarh.
Our Take: Consistency matters in education
Chandigarh's fourth consecutive year at the top of India's school education rankings is not just a statistic — it reflects sustained effort and policy focus. In our view, what stands out is not just the top rank, but the fact that Chandigarh improved its grade from 'Prachesta-1' to 'Uttam-3' this year. This shows that the system is not resting on past success but is actively working to raise standards. For other states and UTs, this should serve as a clear benchmark. The gap between Chandigarh and the rest of the country is not just about ranking — it is about the quality of education that students receive. The Union Ministry's PGI 2.0 report provides a transparent measure, and Chandigarh's performance proves that consistent investment in school education delivers results.
