Understanding UDISE Code: Meaning, Format, and How to Find Your School’s Code

Every recognized school in India has a unique identification number known as the UDISE Code. This 11-digit number might look simple, but it plays a vital role in tracking, verifying, and managing information for every school across the country. Whether it’s a small village primary school or a large private institution, the UDISE Code ensures that each school is part of a unified national education database.

Understanding what the UDISE Code means, how it’s structured, and how to find it can help teachers, administrators, and parents verify and manage school information more effectively.

What is the UDISE Code?

The UDISE (Unified District Information System for Education) Code is an identification number issued by the Ministry of Education to every recognized school in India. It acts like a digital fingerprint that distinguishes one school from another within the government’s education system.

Just as every citizen has an Aadhaar number, every school has a UDISE Code. This ensures that all reports, surveys, and government programs link to the correct institution, maintaining data consistency nationwide.

Why the UDISE Code Matters

The UDISE Code is not just for record-keeping. It has several important functions that directly affect schools and policymakers.

1. Accuracy and Accountability – All data related to the school, including students, teachers, and facilities, is tied to its unique code, reducing the chances of duplication or confusion.
2. Official Recognition – The UDISE Code is proof that a school is registered in the national education system. Schools without it cannot be included in official statistics or government reports.
3. Eligibility for Schemes – Only schools with a valid code can participate in government programs like Samagra Shiksha or PM SHRI Schools.
4. Public Transparency – The code allows parents, students, and researchers to access verified details about any registered school through the UDISE+ portal.

Structure of the UDISE Code

The UDISE Code consists of 11 digits, and each section represents a specific level of information about the school’s location.

• The first two digits indicate the State Code
• The next two digits represent the District Code
• The following two digits show the Block or Zone Code
• The next two digits identify the Cluster or Circle Code
• The last three digits are the School’s Unique Identifier

For example, in the UDISE Code 09020304123, “09” refers to the state, “02” identifies the district, “03” marks the block, and “04123” is the school’s specific number. This format ensures that each school can be traced precisely to its administrative unit anywhere in India.

How to Find Your School’s UDISE Code

Finding a school’s UDISE Code is simple if you know where to look.

1. Visit the Official UDISE+ Portal – Go to udiseplus.gov.in and open the “Know Your School” section. Enter the school’s name, state, or district to view its complete profile along with the UDISE Code.
2. Check with the District Education Office (DEO) – Local education officers can confirm or update your school’s code if there are any discrepancies.
3. Look in School Documents – Many schools list their UDISE Code on report cards, inspection reports, or registration documents.
4. State Education Websites – Some states maintain online directories where schools can be searched by name or location.

Common Issues with UDISE Codes

Schools may occasionally face problems related to their UDISE Code, such as duplicates, inactive numbers, or incorrect entries.

• Duplicate codes can occur when schools change names or management.
• Inactive codes usually mean the school has merged or shut down.
• Typing errors during data entry may cause mismatched information.

Regular verification with district officials helps avoid these issues and keeps school data consistent.

How Schools Should Manage Their UDISE Code

Every school should keep its UDISE Code secure and easily accessible. It’s recommended to:

• Save it in both digital and printed formats
• Include it in all official correspondence and reports
• Notify education authorities immediately if an error or duplication is found

This ensures the school’s identity remains valid and that its data remains part of national records.

Conclusion

The UDISE Code is more than just a number — it’s the digital identity of every school in India. It brings organization, credibility, and transparency to how education data is recorded and used.

For schools, it ensures official recognition. For parents and policymakers, it builds trust in the accuracy of information. By maintaining and using this code responsibly, schools help strengthen India’s education system and contribute to a data-driven approach to improving learning outcomes.