The Government of Delhi has begun a citywide initiative to digitally profile more than 1,086 government schools across the capital, aiming to systematically assess existing infrastructure and safety conditions through advanced imaging, scientific testing and real-time data monitoring.
The move marks a significant shift toward evidence-based infrastructure planning in the education sector, leveraging digital tools to prioritise repairs, retrofit needs and long-term resilience. Officials describe the programme as a “review-first” strategy designed to capture a comprehensive inventory of physical assets — from classrooms, drinking water points and sanitation facilities to digital infrastructure, laboratories, kitchen areas and security arrangements. Trained vendor teams have been deployed to visit each school site and document infrastructure details using 360-degree imaging and drone-based surveys, creating a digital “blueprint” of every room and outdoor facility. The digital data collected will be uploaded to a secure web-based portal linked with the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), enabling automated error detection and real-time monitoring by administrators.
The system allows inspectors to conduct virtual walkthroughs of each school, track infrastructure gaps and plan improvements with visual evidence instead of relying solely on manual reports. Structural safety assessment is a core component of the exercise. Specialised technical teams will conduct non-destructive tests, such as ultrasonic pulse velocity and rebound hammer evaluations, to gauge the integrity of building materials. Based on scientific data, schools will be categorised into those that can be retained as is, those requiring repair or retrofitting, and those potentially needing demolition, ensuring that safety is prioritised before capital outlays are recommended for renovation. Experts say the holistic digital profiling could serve multiple long-term planning goals beyond immediate safety concerns. By capturing granular data on facilities like water availability, sanitation, furniture and digital learning amenities, administrators can better benchmark conditions against standards prescribed by bodies such as the Central Board of Secondary Education and the National Disaster Management Authority.
This enables prioritisation of investments that strengthen resilience to climate stressors, compliance with disaster safety codes, and alignment with broader education infrastructure goals. Involving advanced imaging and geographic information system (GIS) visualisation tools, the project aims to generate a spatially-referenced database that supports targeted budgeting and phased implementation of improvements. Long-term plans could include better integration of digital teaching resources, smarter maintenance scheduling, and informed decisions on capital expenditures that recognise which schools are most in need of upgrades. Officials have indicated that the data will be reviewed at multiple administrative levels, from central education authorities to district-level officials, ensuring that planning and resource allocation are informed by robust evidence rather than ad-hoc surveys. Technical reviews of buildings flagged as structurally weak may be conducted by reputed institutions, including technology institutes with expertise in structural engineering.
As cities like Delhi grapple with rapid urban growth and ageing infrastructure, data-driven assessments of school facilities represent an important tool to improve safety, enhance learning environments and build more resilient public education systems. The initiative may also offer a model for other metropolitan regions seeking to leverage digital tools to strengthen essential services.
