The Ministry of Education has approved **1,76,728 new smart classrooms** for schools across India. At the same time, the government will provide high-speed internet to more than **16,000 rural secondary schools**. These steps aim to improve digital learning and offer better education to students. Minister of State for Education, **Jayant Chaudhary**, shared this news in the Lok Sabha on **November 10, 2025**.
What are Smart Classrooms?
Smart classrooms are modern learning spaces equipped with digital tools. These classrooms will be set up under the **Samagra Shiksha scheme**. This government program works to give equal and good-quality education across India, following the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The smart classrooms will benefit students from Class 6 to Class 12 in government and aided schools.
Each school receiving a smart classroom gets financial support. They receive a one-time grant of **₹2.40 lakh** to set up the classroom. Also, they get **₹38,000 every year** to buy digital content and other teaching materials. These special classrooms will have important tools for learning:
- Digital boards
- LCD or LED screens
- Laptops and desktop computers
- Printers and scanners
- Other useful digital devices
Where are the New Smart Classrooms Coming?
Smart classrooms are being approved for schools in both cities and villages. **Uttar Pradesh** will get the highest number of these classrooms. The data for approved classrooms comes from UDISE+ and meetings of the Project Approval Board (PAB) for 2025-26. The government held extra meetings to approve these facilities in **32 states and Union Territories**. This includes regions like Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Ladakh, and Daman & Diu.
Here is a breakdown of smart classrooms approved in some states:
| State | Approved Smart Classrooms |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1,34,533 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 12,573 |
| Odisha | 11,776 |
| Rajasthan | 10,476 |
| Bihar | 11,568 |
High-Speed Internet for Rural Schools
Along with smart classrooms, the government is focusing on internet access. More than **16,000 rural secondary schools** will soon get high-speed internet. This internet service will be provided through the **BharatNet Phase-II project**. The government has approved **₹6,064 crore** for this part of the plan.
State-run BSNL will connect these schools to broadband internet. They will use a special internet technology called Optical Line Terminal (OLT). This will make sure that students in rural areas can access online learning materials, digital libraries, and other educational resources quickly and reliably. Having fast internet will help bridge the gap between urban and rural education. It will allow students everywhere to learn with the help of digital tools.
Boosting Digital Learning
These new smart classrooms and internet connections are a big step towards improving education in India. They will help schools use technology more effectively in teaching. Teachers can use digital boards to show lessons, videos, and interactive content. Students can use computers for projects, research, and skill development. High-speed internet will give students and teachers access to a vast amount of information, making learning more engaging and up-to-date. This initiative directly supports the goal of providing modern education to every student in the country.
