Additionally, the Sterling Schools Awards recognised institutions that have consistently maintained a ‘Green School’ ranking for five consecutive years. This year’s honorees included: Delhi Public School, Ludhiana, Punjab; Kendriya Vidyalaya Baikunthpur, Korea, Chhattisgarh; PM SHRI KV Army Cantt, Pangode; RMK Residential Senior Secondary School, Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Shiv Nadar School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Shri Ram Centennial School, Indore, Madhya Pradesh; St Thomas’ School, New Delhi; Subodh Public School Airport, Jaipur, Rajasthan; The Fabindia School, Pali, Rajasthan.
Several schools were also recognised for outstanding performance in specific categories. This list included Air Action Award to Kendriya Vidyalaya, NTPC Shaktinagar, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh; Energy Manager Award to Kendriya Vidyalaya, IIT Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Good Food Award to Delhi Public School, Pune, Maharashtra; Land Manager Award to Cambridge School, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh; Water-Wise Award to Queen’s Valley School, Dwarka, New Delhi; Waste Warrior Award to Pinegrove School Dharampur, Solan, Himachal Pradesh.
Impact of the audit
The Green Schools Programme (GSP) Audit is a crucial environmental education initiative that allows schools to assess their use of resources and implement sustainable practices. The latest data from the 2024-25 audit reflects a remarkable shift towards sustainability among Indian schools:
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87 per cent of schools do not own or use vehicles, reducing carbon emissions
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93 per cent of schools have banned packaged food on campus, promoting sustainable eating habits
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77 per cent have adopted energy-efficient lighting
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71 per cent of schools have eliminated single-use plastic
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26 per cent are utilising renewable energy sources such as solar power
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25 per cent have implemented rainwater harvesting systems
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30 per cent practice waste segregation and composting
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48 per cent of schools maintain a green cover exceeding 35 per cent of their total area
While these statistics indicate significant progress, challenges remain. A concerning 16 per cent of schools still burn waste and 8 per cent continue to use diesel vehicles, highlighting areas where further intervention and education are needed.
CSE’s Green Schools Programme has established itself as an integral force in integrating sustainability into the school curriculum. With a network of over 15,000 schools, the initiative continues to foster hands-on learning experiences that instill environmental responsibility in students.
As the event concluded, the resounding message was clear: Schools are at the forefront of the environmental movement, shaping a generation of environmentally conscious citizens. The Green Schools Awards 2025 reaffirmed that change is possible when young minds are empowered to think and act sustainably.