Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme

• 23 Oct 2025

Source:TH

Why in News? 

The Kerala Government has sought financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme to support the State’s cash-strapped education sector. 

What is the PM-SHRI Scheme? 

• About: The PM-SHRI Scheme, launched in 2022, is a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at upgrading over 14,500 existing schools to serve as model institutions showcasing the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 
  • The scheme runs from 2022–23 to 2026–27, after which the responsibility for maintenance lies with the respective states and UTs. 
• Key Features of PM-SHRI Schools 
  • Modern, well-equipped Smart Classrooms, Computer Labs, Integrated Science Labs, and Atal Tinkering Labs. 
  • Focus on competency-based learning and real-life application of knowledge. 
  • Promotion of green initiatives such as water conservation, solar energy use, and waste recycling. 
  • Experiential, inquiry-driven, and learner-centred pedagogy. 
• Funding Pattern: 
  • General States/UTs with legislature: 60:40 (Centre: State/UT) 
  • Northeastern and Himalayan States, J&K: 90:10 
  • UTs without legislature: 100% Central funding 
• Selection Process: 
  • Schools are selected for the PM SHRI Scheme through a competitive "Challenge Mode" process in three stages. 
    • First, states and union territories sign an MoU with the central government. 
    • Second, eligible schools are identified based on a minimum benchmark using UDISE+ data. 
    • Finally, a challenge-based selection occurs where schools must meet specific criteria, which are then verified through physical inspection by states or other authorities before an expert committee makes the final selection. 
  • Some states, including Punjab and West Bengal, have refused to sign the MoU while Tamil Nadu and Kerala have shown conditional willingness. 
    • As a result, the central government has stopped funding under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to states that have not signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to participate in the PM SHRI scheme.  
• Monitoring Framework: The School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) ensures accountability and continuous quality improvement. 

What are the Other Key Government Initiatives Related to Education? 

• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: NEP 2020 aims to make India a global knowledge superpower; it is the third major revamp after 1968 and 1986 policies. 
  • Key features include universal access to education, quality early childhood care (ages 3–6), a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, multidisciplinary learning, multilingualism, holistic assessment via PARAKH, and support for disadvantaged groups through Gender Inclusion Fund and Special Education Zones. 
• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): SSA is an integrated school education scheme covering pre-school to class XII, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. 
  • It merges Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, and Teacher Education, focusing on Teacher and Technology. 
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Provides free lunches to children in government and government-aided schools. 
  • Aims to improve nutrition, increase school enrollment, and reduce dropout rates. 
  • Supports inclusive education by targeting children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme: Promotes girls’ education and gender equality in schools. 
  • Works to prevent gender discrimination, improve enrollment, retention, and learning outcomes for girls. 
  • Encourages community awareness and societal change toward valuing the girl child. 
• PM e-VIDYA: Launched in 2020, it is a unique and innovative venture by the Ministry of Education to facilitate multi-mode access to digital/online teaching-learning contents of various types among students and teachers. 
• SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds): A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of education policy: Access, Equity, and Quality 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. What is the PM-SHRI Scheme? 
It’s a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2022 to upgrade 14,500 schools as model institutions implementing NEP 2020.

Q2. Why is the PM-SHRI Scheme in news? 
Because the Centre withheld SSA funds to Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal for not signing the PM-SHRI participation MoU.

Q3. What is the funding pattern under PM-SHRI? 
Centre and States share costs in a 60:40 ratio; 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States, 100% Central funding for UTs without legislature. 

UPSC Previous Year Questions 

Prelims 

Q. Which of the following provisions of the Constitution does India have a bearing on Education? (2012)

1. Directive Principles of State Policy   
2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies   
3. Fifth Schedule   
4. Sixth Schedule   
5. Seventh Schedule   

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:   

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 3, 4 and 5 only  

(c) 1, 2 and 5 only  

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5   

Ans- (d)