Fresh push for implementation of PM SHRI in Bengal, Kerala, and T.N.

1. At a Glance

• PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet on 7 September 2022 to transform 14,500+ existing government schools into "exemplar institutions" showcasing NEP 2020 in action. [1]
• The scheme is directly tied to cooperative federalism in education — it requires States/UTs to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre, making State consent a critical bottleneck. [4]
• Three Opposition-governed States — West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu — have resisted full implementation, raising live questions on centre–state relations, fiscal federalism, and education governance. [5]
• Total outlay: ₹27,360 crore over five years (2022-23 to 2026-27), with a Central share of ₹18,128 crore. [1]

2. Why in the News

• In May 2026, the Union Ministry of Education issued a fresh reminder letter (signed by School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar) to West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, citing the conclusion of Assembly elections in these States. [5]
• West Bengal has not signed the MoU despite receiving 11 letters from the Centre (3 in 2022, 3 in 2023, 3 in 2024, 2 in 2025). [5]
• Kerala had kept the MoU in abeyance as of 12 November 2025 and previously constituted a committee to review it. [5]
• The Ministry warned that limited time remains before the scheme's five-year duration expires (2026-27). [5]
• 34 States and UTs have already signed the MoU and moved forward. [5]

3. Background & Evolution

• September 5, 2022: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced PM SHRI on Teachers' Day via a tweet, before formal Cabinet approval. [1]
• September 7, 2022: Union Cabinet formally approved the scheme. [1]
• Rationale: NEP 2020 (released July 2020) envisioned transformational school reform; PM SHRI serves as the on-ground implementation vehicle for NEP's school-level vision. [2]
• Predecessor linkage: PM SHRI subsumes and builds on Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (itself an amalgamation of SSA, RMSA, and TE), which remains the broader school education umbrella. PM SHRI schools are to be selected from within Samagra Shiksha's ambit.
• Phase 1 (2022-23): 6,207 schools selected from 27 States/UTs + KVS/NVS, benefiting 35+ lakh students. [3]
• The scheme runs 2022-23 to 2026-27 (five years). [1]

4. Core Static Facts

Key focus areas of PM SHRI schools:

• Holistic, integrated, inquiry-based, discovery-oriented, learner-centred pedagogy (per NEP 2020 pillars) [2]
• Green schools, digital infrastructure, vocational education, sports
• Mentorship to neighbourhood schools
• Foundational Literacy & Numeracy (FLN) integration

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Administrative

• The MoU mechanism means Centre cannot unilaterally implement in non-consenting States — a structural constraint of Cooperative Federalism in Education (Entry 25, Concurrent List). [5]
• West Bengal's non-compliance despite 11 reminder letters over three years signals a systemic breakdown in Centre–State coordination on education schemes. [5]
• Kerala's decision to keep MoU in abeyance (Nov 2025) and form a review committee represents a legally ambiguous but politically common tactic — neither accepting nor rejecting. [5]
• KVS (Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan) and NVS (Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti) schools are included in the scheme — these are Central institutions not subject to State consent issues. [3]

Legal / Constitutional

• Education is in the Concurrent List (Entry 25, Seventh Schedule); both Centre and States can legislate, but States retain implementation authority over State-run schools.
• Refusal to sign MoU is a legitimate State prerogative; the Centre has no legal mechanism to compel participation under a CSS.
• The delay potentially affects students' rights under Article 21A (Right to Education) and the RTE Act, 2009 by denying access to upgraded infrastructure.

Social

• First Phase alone covers 35+ lakh students; non-implementation in three populous States withholds benefits from a significant student population. [3]
• PM SHRI schools are designed to be inclusive — catering to children from disadvantaged sections per NEP 2020's equity mandate.
• Scheme targets government-run schools, which disproportionately serve SC/ST, OBC, and EWS children — making non-implementation socially regressive for vulnerable groups.

Economic / Fiscal

• CSS funding pattern typically follows 60:40 (Centre:State) ratio for general States; 90:10 for NE and special category States.
• ₹27,360 crore over five years represents significant investment in school infrastructure; delays reduce fiscal absorption and utilisation of Central grants.
• Under-utilisation of Central funds by non-participating States can result in fund lapsing near scheme end (2026-27). [5]

Ethical / Governance

• The Centre's 11 letters to West Bengal (3+3+3+2 across 2022–2025) reflect a pattern where political considerations override educational welfare.
• Using Assembly elections as a trigger for fresh reminder letters raises questions about politically timed policy enforcement.
• Transparency deficit: lack of public disclosure on why Kerala/TN have not signed creates an accountability gap.

6. Recent Developments (Last 12–18 Months)

• November 12, 2025: Kerala government officially placed the PM SHRI MoU in abeyance; had earlier constituted a committee to review terms. [5]
• 2025 (Jan–Dec): Centre sent two more letters to West Bengal (total tally reached 11). [5]
• May 13, 2026: Union School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar sent fresh letters to West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu following conclusion of Assembly elections in those States. [5]
• As of May 2026, 34 of 36 States/UTs have signed the MoU and are at various stages of implementation. [5]
• Ministry warned that the scheme's five-year window is closing (end date: 2026-27), raising urgency of compliance. [5]

7. Prelims Hooks

1. PM SHRI stands for Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India. [1]
2. The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 7 September 2022. [1]
3. It was announced by PM Modi on Teachers' Day (5 September 2022). [1]
4. PM SHRI targets transformation of 14,500+ existing government schools — not new construction. [1]
5. Total project outlay: ₹27,360 crore; Central share: ₹18,128 crore. [1]
6. Duration: five years (2022-23 to 2026-27). [1]
7. It is classified as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), not a Central Sector Scheme. [1]
8. PM SHRI is the primary vehicle for implementing NEP 2020 at the school level. [2]
9. In Phase 1, 6,207 schools were selected from 27 States/UTs + KVS/NVS. [3]
10. Phase 1 benefits more than 35 lakh students. [3]
11. Implementing ministry: Ministry of Education (Department of School Education & Literacy). [1]
12. States must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to participate. [4]
13. As of May 2026, 34 States/UTs have signed the MoU; West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu have not. [5]
14. The Centre sent 11 letters to West Bengal alone (between 2022 and 2025). [5]
15. Kerala placed the MoU in abeyance as of November 12, 2025. [5]

8. Mains Relevance

GS Papers: GS-II (Primary)

Syllabus Headings:

• GS-II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.
• GS-II: Centre–State relations; Cooperative federalism.
• GS-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Plausible Mains Question Stems:

1. "The resistance of certain States to implement the PM SHRI scheme reflects deeper structural tensions in Centre–State relations in education. Critically examine." (GS-II, 15 marks)

2. "Centrally Sponsored Schemes require State consent, yet education is a Concurrent List subject. How does this paradox affect the equitable delivery of educational reforms? Illustrate with reference to PM SHRI." (GS-II, 10 marks)

3. "PM SHRI schools are described as 'exemplar institutions' for NEP 2020. Analyse the key pedagogical and structural features that distinguish them from regular government schools." (GS-II, 10 marks)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

1. "PM SHRI builds new schools" — WRONG. It upgrades/strengthens existing government, KV, and NV schools. No new school construction. [1]

2. Confusing PM SHRI with Samagra Shiksha — Samagra Shiksha is the broader umbrella CSS; PM SHRI is a sub-scheme/add-on for select exemplar schools operating within it.

3. Wrong launch year — Announced 5 Sep 2022 (Teachers' Day tweet by PM), Cabinet approved 7 Sep 2022. Not 2020 or 2021 (those are NEP years).

4. "Central Sector Scheme" vs "Centrally Sponsored Scheme" — PM SHRI is a CSS (States co-fund and implement); Central Sector Schemes have 100% Central funding and no State role — a distinction frequently tested in Prelims.

5. Assuming all States have complied — As of May 2026, three States (WB, Kerala, TN) have not signed the MoU; treating the scheme as uniformly implemented nationwide is incorrect. [5]

6. Mis-attributing the implementing ministry — It is the Ministry of Education (not HRD — renamed in 2020), Department of School Education & Literacy specifically.