Onmanorama Explains | What is PM SHRI? How do schools benefit, what are the conditions?

Launched in September 2022, the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme is a centrally sponsored programme to upgrade around 14,500 existing government schools into model institutions that reflect the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. These schools are meant to provide high-quality, inclusive, and experiential learning, serving as demonstration hubs for nearby schools.

Under the scheme, government and local-body schools from Classes 1–12 receive funding to modernise infrastructure, teaching methods, and learning materials. The key goals include promoting multilingual and activity-based learning, reducing rote methods, strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy, and introducing vocational and 21st-century skills.

The total outlay is ₹27,360 crore (2022–27), with the Centre contributing ₹18,128 crore. The funding pattern is 60:40 between the Centre and States/UTs (except Jammu and Kashmir, which is 90:10, and 100% central funding for UTs without legislatures).

How schools are selected
PM SHRI does not establish new schools but upgrades existing ones through a three-stage ‘Challenge Mode’ process:

• Agreement – States/UTs or school bodies (like KVS/NVS) must sign an MoU with the Centre, pledging to meet quality benchmarks and implement NEP 2020.
• Eligibility – Using UDISE+ data, schools meeting basic infrastructure and performance standards are shortlisted.
• Competition – Shortlisted schools are evaluated on quality indicators such as infrastructure, learning outcomes, and innovation. Urban schools must score 70% or above, and rural schools 60% or above, to qualify.

Schools must also fulfil minimum requirements such as: a pucca building, functional toilets for boys and girls, drinking water, electricity, library or sports facilities, and barrier-free access.

Alignment with NEP 2020
PM SHRI is designed as a practical implementation tool for NEP 2020. Selected schools must follow NEP-aligned curriculum and pedagogy—emphasising activity-based, multilingual, and skill-oriented learning instead of rote tests.

They receive modern resources such as smart classrooms, ICT and vocational labs, child-friendly furniture, and ‘Jadui Pitara’ (magic box) toy kits for foundational learning. Continuous assessment, digital integration, and inclusivity are key features.

The scheme rests on six pillars derived from NEP:

1. Access and infrastructure
2. Human resources and leadership
3. Governance and monitoring
4. Beneficiary satisfaction
5. Curriculum and assessment
6. Inclusivity and gender equity

Implementation status (as of 2025)

• Schools selected: About 13,070 schools approved by October 2025, including 869 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and 620 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs).
• Top states: Uttar Pradesh (1,710 schools), Andhra Pradesh (855), Maharashtra (827), Bihar (804), and Telangana (794).
• Funding: ₹6,050 crore allocated in Union Budget 2024–25, up 116% from the previous year.
• Distribution: Roughly 11% primary, 28% upper-primary, 24% secondary, and 37% senior secondary.

The school's focus on achieving foundational literacy by Grade 3, competency-based learning, citizenship education, integration of Indian knowledge systems, vocational and IT skills, and psychological and career counselling.

How it compares with other schemes

Samagra Shiksha: A broader umbrella scheme (since 2018) for all government schools, focused on universalising education and basic facilities. PM SHRI, by contrast, is selective, upgrading a smaller number of schools as NEP showcases. However, both share implementation channels, and the Centre has reportedly made Samagra Shiksha funding conditional on PM SHRI participation—an issue of contention.

Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs): Centrally run schools primarily for central government employees. While some KVs are designated as PM SHRI schools, they already meet many of the standards.

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs): Residential schools for talented rural students. Like KVs, several have been tagged as PM SHRI but operate independently under central administration.

States’ concerns and objections

Some states have resisted PM SHRI over its link to NEP 2020 and perceived centralisation:

• Kerala: Initially opposed on ideological grounds, calling NEP a “saffronisation” move. However, it signed the MoU on October 24, 2025 to unlock withheld ₹1,158 crore in Samagra funds, prompting criticism from the CPI and opposition parties for compromising state’s autonomy.
• Tamil Nadu: Has refused to join, citing NEP’s “Hindi imposition” and federal overreach. The DMK government has moved the Supreme Court against conditional funding.
• West Bengal: Objected to the scheme’s name and branding, calling it political. It also opposes the Centre’s insistence on MoU-based compliance.
• Other states such as Punjab and Delhi initially resisted but joined after fund freezes.

Opposition parties and educationists have warned that linking NEP compliance to central funds erodes the constitutional role of states in education, which lies in the Concurrent List.

The PM SHRI scheme represents the Centre’s attempt to demonstrate NEP 2020 reforms through model schools. While it promises modern facilities and quality benchmarks, the controversy over MoU conditions and central control reflects ongoing tensions in India’s education federalism. Its success may depend on how well the Centre balances reform goals with states’ autonomy and diversity in education systems.