While computer and internet access in Indian schools surged to near 70% by 2026, the number of functional digital libraries declined. This shift highlights a growing divide between basic hardware availability and specialized digital learning infrastructure across various states.
India’s education sector has seen a rapid expansion in basic digital infrastructure over the past two years. According to the latest data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) for the 2025-26 period, the proportion of schools equipped with computers rose significantly to 69.9%, compared to 47.8% two years earlier. Internet connectivity also saw a similar expansion, reaching 67.4% of schools, up from 49.7% in the previous cycle. The availability of computers dedicated to teaching rose to 63.1% from 43.4% during the same timeframe.
Decline in Digital Libraries Despite Hardware Growth
Despite this push for hardware, the availability of specialized digital library resources has lagged. The national percentage of schools with digital libraries dipped slightly to 7.14% in 2025-26, down from 7.36% in 2023-24. Because the total number of schools in the country increased during this period, the absolute decline is more pronounced, with the count of schools providing digital library access falling to 1,04,765 from 1,07,886. For investors and stakeholders in the educational technology (EdTech) and infrastructure sectors, this data points to a potential mismatch between the procurement of hardware and the actual implementation of integrated digital learning platforms.
Regional Disparities in Implementation
The national average masks stark differences in state-level execution. Kerala, historically a leader in this segment, saw its digital library penetration drop sharply from 29.5% to 18%. Other states like Andhra Pradesh and Punjab also reported minor contractions. In contrast, Telangana demonstrated a rapid adoption of such infrastructure, with digital library coverage surging from 2.4% to 92.4% over the two-year period.
Other regions also showed significant hardware progress. Assam reported a major jump in computer availability, rising from 17.8% to 85%. Significant improvements were also recorded in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, where internet and computer access levels improved considerably.
For those monitoring the education sector, the next phase will be to track whether state governments shift focus from mere hardware procurement to sustaining and upgrading digital software and library content. The effectiveness of these digital initiatives will likely depend on whether schools can move beyond basic connectivity to provide high-quality digital educational resources to students, a trend that may influence future government education budgets and procurement contracts for private EdTech service providers.