The Assam government has been conferred the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 in the Innovation–State category for its pioneering AI-based attendance application, Shiksha Setu Axom.
Dr Om Prakash, Managing Director of Samagra Shiksha Assam, received the award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremony held in New Delhi on Monday, 21 April.
The Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration was established to recognise outstanding and innovative initiatives by district administrations in both central and state governments, aimed at enhancing public service delivery.
The awards were presented as part of the 17th Civil Services Day celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan, where various states were recognised across multiple categories.
Shiksha Setu Axom is an AI-enabled application that connects schools across Assam through advanced data and technology. The app allows over 50 lakh students and teachers to mark their daily attendance using AI-powered facial recognition.
This has enhanced efficiency and provided real-time attendance data accessible to educational authorities. The initiative has notably reduced administrative costs, reportedly saving over ₹100 crore annually on student welfare schemes.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to express his gratitude, stating: “Assam’s #ShikshaSetu was today awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji. This single-point solution has streamlined student and teacher attendance and brought uniformity across schools in Assam. Congratulations to the entire team of @Samagra_Assam on achieving this feat.”
The app has also contributed significantly to improving data accuracy by eliminating over three lakh duplicate (ghost) student entries. Furthermore, it has curtailed unauthorised teacher absences and ensured precise attendance records for both students and staff.
In addition to the recognition for Shiksha Setu Axom, the Tinsukia District Administration was also honoured with the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in the category of ‘Holistic Development of Districts’.
Chief Minister Sarma lauded Tinsukia for its effective implementation of both central and state policies, describing the district as a model of development for others to emulate.
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