Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood pushes digital infra, NIPUN certification by 2028
Synopsis
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood has set a hard deadline: NIPUN certification mandatory in all government schools by 2028. Paired with an AI-driven push to automate attendance and evaluation, the directive signals a shift from policy announcements to measurable accountability — a notable pivot for a system that has long been scrutinised on learning outcomes.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood held a virtual review meeting on 15 May with principals from Zones 24, 26, 27, and 28 across South, Central, and New Delhi districts.
NIPUN certification — proficiency in reading and numeracy — will be mandatory for all government schools by 2028 .
Schools directed to adopt AI-based systems for attendance, paper setting, and answer sheet evaluation to reduce teacher workload.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for virtual meetings to be prepared; virtual sessions will continue over the next few months.
Schools must implement Five Best Practices : pollution control, water conservation, energy conservation, mental health, and anti-drug awareness.
Each school directed to promote at least one sport ; teachers urged to balance practical and theory instruction per CBSE guidelines.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Friday, 15 May directed government school principals and heads to sharpen focus on academic quality, digital infrastructure, and the holistic development of students. Speaking through a video conferencing session, Sood reviewed ground realities across schools in Zones 24, 26, 27, and 28 of South, Central, and New Delhi districts.
Key Directives from the Meeting
Sood urged all school heads to build familiarity with virtual meeting systems, adding that such sessions would continue over the next few months. He directed that a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) be drafted for conducting virtual meetings to ensure smooth, disciplined communication without disruption.
The minister also instructed schools to implement 'Five Best Practices' — covering awareness around pollution control, water conservation, energy conservation, mental health, and protection against drug abuse. Innovations under this initiative will be featured in the department's magazine.
NIPUN Certification Made Mandatory by 2028
Sood announced that obtaining NIPUN certification — an initiative for proficiency in reading with understanding and numeracy — will be mandatory for all government schools by 2028. The mandate signals a measurable benchmark the Delhi government intends to hold schools accountable to, moving beyond aspirational targets.
AI-Based Learning and Digital Push
The Delhi government is rolling out AI-based learning systems across all government schools. Under this initiative, processes such as attendance tracking, paper setting, and evaluation of answer sheets are being technology-enabled. Sood said this would reduce administrative workload on teachers, freeing them to concentrate on classroom instruction and student outcomes.
He emphasised that digital tools and modern technologies are being deployed to provide students maximum academic support, with the goal of helping Delhi government schools achieve new educational benchmarks.
Practical vs Theory: A Gap the Minister Flagged
Sood noted a persistent concern: students tend to perform well in practical examinations but fall short in theory papers, adversely affecting their overall academic results. He directed teachers to give equal attention to both practical and theoretical components in line with the latest guidelines of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
He also directed each school to promote at least one specific sport to support students' physical health and nurture sporting talent. The Delhi government's push for 'Tangible Learning Outcomes' underpins all these directives, with the administration signalling that results — not just resources — will define success going forward.
Point of View
AI systems) to output (measurable literacy and numeracy). Whether the administration builds a credible verification mechanism — or lets the 2028 deadline quietly slip — will determine if this meeting was a turning point or another round of well-intentioned circulars.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood announce for government schools?
Ashish Sood directed government schools on 15 May to focus on academic quality, digital infrastructure, AI-based learning, and holistic student development. Key mandates include NIPUN certification for all schools by 2028 and the adoption of Five Best Practices covering environmental and mental health awareness.
What is NIPUN certification and why is it now mandatory?
NIPUN stands for an initiative for proficiency in reading with understanding and numeracy. The Delhi government has made it mandatory for all government schools to obtain NIPUN certification by 2028, setting a measurable learning-outcome benchmark for the system.
How is AI being used in Delhi government schools?
The Delhi government is deploying AI-based systems to automate attendance tracking, paper setting, and evaluation of answer sheets. The goal is to reduce administrative burden on teachers so they can focus more time on classroom instruction.
Which schools were part of the virtual meeting held by Ashish Sood?
The virtual meeting covered principals and Heads of Schools from Zones 24, 26, 27, and 28 across the South, Central, and New Delhi districts of the city.
What are the Five Best Practices that Delhi schools must follow?
The Five Best Practices directed by Sood include awareness and action on pollution control, water conservation, energy conservation, mental health, and protection against drug abuse. Schools' activities under these areas will be featured in the education department's magazine.
