Lok Sabha Question No. 5850 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Internet Connectivity Impact on Digital Teaching
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5850

ANSWERED ON 30/03/2026

## Internet Connectivity Impact on Digital Teaching

†5850. Shri Aditya Yadav:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  digital  teaching  efforts  in  Badaun  district,  Uttar Pradesh are ineffective due to poor Internet connectivity, lack of equipments and incapability of teachers  in  technology  aided  teaching  thereby  widening  the  urban-rural  digital  divide  and limiting students access to modern educational resources;
- (b)  if  so,  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  in  the  said  districts  to strengthen  internet  connectivity,  providing  cost-effective  equipments  and  capacity  building  of teachers through structured training and support and strengthening monitoring system along with the timeline for its completion; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a)  to  (c):  Education  is  part  of  the  Concurrent  List  of  the  Constitution  and  most  of  the Government schools are under the administration of the State Government and its bodies. The Ministry  of  Education  implements  ICT  and  Digital  initiatives  under  Samagra  Shiksha  to enhance digital learning in Government schools across the country, including the State of Uttar Pradesh.

As informed by the State of Uttar Pradesh, in the district of Badaun, digital teaching has been implemented in an effective manner. To address the digital divide, steps has been taken under Samagra  Shiksha  and  PM  SHRI  scheme  to  strengthen  digital  learning  infrastructure.  In  the district of Badaun, there are 36 PM SHRI schools (Govt:34, KVS: 1 and NVS: 1). Of the 36, 17 are Primary, 13 are  Upper Primary and 4 are Higher Secondary schools. All the schools across  the  State  are  also  provided  with  Tablets,  equipped  with  internet  connection.  These digital setups have helped in providing quality education to all the students in accordance with National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020.  Through  Samagra  Shiksha,  25  ICT  Labs,  17  Smart Classrooms have been setup in the district of Badaun.

The  Government  of  India,  in  the  Budget  2025,  has  announced  provision  of  broadband connectivity to all Government Secondary schools in rural areas including schools from Uttar Pradesh,  under  the  'BharatNet'  project  to  enhance  digital  infrastructure  in  remote  areas  by BSNL  in  a  phased  manner.  To  ensure  smooth  operation  of  Smart  Classes,  Rs.  12,000  per school is provided for internet connection on an annual basis.

In addition to Samagra Shiksha, the State is also strengthening infrastructure in schools through Project  Alankaar  (a  State  initiative).  Establishment  of  Science  Labs,  ICT  labs  and  Smart Classrooms,  use  of  DIKSHA  platform  and  PM  eVidya  for  digital  learning  is  supported  for ensuring digital education in the classrooms.

Teachers are also trained in online and offline mode on regular basis through platforms like DIKSHA and SCERT-led programmes on use of e-content, digital pedagogy, effective use of ICT in classrooms, smart devices and cyber safety.

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