Performance Grading Index: Know PGI Grading System

Education in India is one of the largest in the world with millions of students, teachers, and children from many different backgrounds. The aim of the school system is to keep standards and consistency among different states while giving wholeheartedly to the country's diverse culture and heritage that allows it to flourish with elements of history, art, and huge religious diversity.

The Performance Grading Index acts as a guideline in examining the current state of education in India's states and union territories, by providing key insights into several different goals that determine its performance.

Basics of PGI

The Performance Grading Index is a tool used to measure and estimate the grading of education in schools. With this grading system, if there are any issues in the school or parts of it, they can get better grades on each level with some work done on improving those areas. The Performance Grading Index gives students and teachers something to strive for!

How is PGI calculated?

The Government of India believes that every child deserves a quality education in order to succeed in life. The Performance Grading Index measures states’ performance in education. There are 1,000 points that are scored across 70 parameters, that are broken up into five broad categories:

• Access
• Governance and management
• Infrastructure
• Equity
• Learning outcomes

This is done in large part by comparing the data from large sets of information. Such sources include the National Achievement Survey, Unified District Information System for Education Plus, and Mid-Day Meal. 

What is the meaning of the grading system?

There are ten levels in the Performance Grading Index (PGI) grading system. Level 1 denotes exceptional achievement with a score of 951 to 1,000 points. A score of 901 to 950 is considered Level II. Level III scores range from 851 to 900. The lowest level is with a score ranging from 0 to 550 points. 

PGI 2019-20 Latest Achievements

• Punjab received the highest score of 929 for the 2019-20 academic year. Punjab received a score of 769 in the previous PGI 2018-19 and was assigned to Grade II. Punjab achieved a 20 per cent gain in overall score from the last year in PGI 2019-20, securing a spot under Level II.
• Gujarat dropped to seventh place this year from second place last year.
• In PGI 2019-20, no state or UT was able to attain Level I.
• Due to their poor ratings as compared to last year's edition, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have slid to a significantly lower rank. 
• For the first time in PGI 2019-20, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu- 5 states & UTs were able to achieve Level II.

The Importance of PGI

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution requires free and compulsory education for every child aged six to fourteen years, as well as according to article 45 early child development till the age of six years. 

Formerly, under the Directive Principles section of the Indian Constitution, there was a paragraph in Article 45 that called for free and compulsory education for children. However, it later transpired that India's education system was critically poor, demanding a radical shift. The 86th Amendment to the Constitution of India, therefore, enacted Fundamental Right to Education by ensuring equitable and affordable access to schooling at the elementary level (6 – 14 years). This act has radically altered India's educational landscape, offering a platform for the abolition of poverty and the betterment of socioeconomic situations for millions of individuals throughout the country.

The Performance Grading Index is an important tool that will help states measure their positions on key parameters. The index has been designed in such a way all the states will be able to find out how they are performing and make faster course corrections. This index can be considered a constructive and uplifting tool because it encourages all of them to work harder to attain the highest level category. 

Considering that, this index intends to stimulate educational system adjustments that will increase educational quality. 

PGI can be considered as a platform on which states/UTs can strive to develop and provide an example for other states to follow in order to close gaps in certain disciplines.

FAQs About Performance Grading Index

How many grades are there in PGI?

There are ten levels in the PGI grading system.

Who Topped Performance Index?

Punjab, India Topped Performance Index

Who published the grading index?

The education ministry published the Grading index.

How many indicators of grading are there?

The PGI has a total weightage of 100 points, with each of the 70 indicators receiving a weightage of 10 or 20 points.