CSR need · Tamil Nadu
CSR projects in Chennai
Chennai has 337 government schools, 0% of them rural, in a district with groundwater over-exploited, fluoride in groundwater, saline groundwater and 48% of water bodies not in use. The figures below come from the School GIS list of government schools, CGWB's groundwater assessment and water quality tests, and the national census of water bodies.
Chennai at a glance
| Measure | Chennai |
|---|---|
| Government schools | 337: 130 primary, 95 up to class 8, 112 secondary or higher |
| Rural schools | 0% |
| Schools beyond the distance norm to the next level | 0 (0%) |
| Tribal or social welfare schools | 13 |
| Groundwater used against recharge, 2025 | 122% (over-exploited), down 50 points since 2017 |
| Found above the drinking water limit | salinity (high TDS) and fluoride |
| Ponds, tanks and other water bodies | 305, of which 147 not in use and 118 encroached |
School list as of the 2021 School GIS snapshot; water figures as on the linked pages.
Projects that fit
- Safe drinking water in schools: RO or fluoride-removal units with a rainwater tank, since tests found salinity (high TDS) and fluoride in Chennai's groundwater.
- Rainwater harvesting and recharge in school campuses: about ₹1.1 lakh to ₹1.7 lakh per recharge point with a 120 ft bore. See the cost in Chennai.
- Pond and tank revival: 147 water bodies in Chennai are not in use. Desilting a one-acre pond costs about ₹9 lakh to ₹15 lakh. See pond rejuvenation.
- Girls' toilets, handwashing stations and repairs, checked school by school against UDISE+ report cards.
Before funding
Shortlist schools from data, then check each against its UDISE+ report card and visit the best few with the headteacher and School Management Committee. Our school selection guide has a 100-point scorecard for this.
Check the numbers for your area
Frequently asked questions
How many government schools are there in Chennai?
337 in the 2021 School GIS list: 130 primary only, 95 up to class 8 and 112 with secondary or higher classes.
Is groundwater in Chennai over-exploited?
In CGWB's 2025 assessment Chennai used 122% (over-exploited) of its extractable groundwater.