UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Implementation of PM SHRI scheme

Q1. The PM SHRI Schools programme acquired its formal existence through which one of the following?

  • A. Approval by the Union Cabinet on 7 September 2022 of a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme
  • B. Approval by the Union Cabinet on 5 September 2022 of a new Central Sector Scheme
  • C. Notification of a new sub-component within Samagra Shiksha by the Project Approval Board in 2021
  • D. Approval by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 7 September 2022 of a Central Sector Scheme

Q2. With reference to the PM SHRI scheme as approved by the Union Cabinet, consider the following: 1. The total project cost is about Rs 27,360 crore, of which the Central share is about Rs 18,128 crore. 2. Every PM SHRI School is a newly constructed institution set up exclusively by the Central Government. 3. All PM SHRI Schools are to be provided Science and Math Kits. 4. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Education and its entire expenditure is borne by the Union Government in all States and Union Territories. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The total project cost is about Rs 27,360 crore, of which the Central share is about Rs 18,128 crore.
  2. Every PM SHRI School is a newly constructed institution set up exclusively by the Central Government.
  3. All PM SHRI Schools are to be provided Science and Math Kits.
  4. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Education and its entire expenditure is borne by the Union Government in all States and Union Territories.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 only

Q3. Under the cost-sharing pattern of PM SHRI, the highest Centre-to-State ratio short of full central funding is available to which one of the following groups?

  • A. The North Eastern States along with Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
  • B. The Union Territories with legislature, namely Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir
  • C. The States that signed the scheme's Memorandum of Understanding during the first phase of selection in 2023
  • D. The States containing Aspirational Districts as identified by NITI Aayog in 2018

Q4. PM SHRI Schools are operationalised on the ground through which one of the following?

  • A. The administrative structure already available for Samagra Shiksha, together with KVS and NVS
  • B. The administrative structure of the National Council of Educational Research and Training and NIEPA
  • C. A dedicated National Mission Authority created for the scheme in the year 2022-23
  • D. The Central Board of Secondary Education along with the National Council for Teacher Education

Q5. Consider the following statements comparing PM SHRI with the wider school-education framework: 1. PM SHRI upgrades schools already in existence under the management of Central/State/UT Governments or local self-governments, instead of sanctioning fresh school buildings. 2. Only schools that possess a UDISE+ code are considered for selection under the scheme. 3. Unlike other government schools, a school selected under PM SHRI ceases to be covered by Samagra Shiksha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. PM SHRI upgrades schools already in existence under the management of Central/State/UT Governments or local self-governments, instead of sanctioning fresh school buildings.
  2. Only schools that possess a UDISE+ code are considered for selection under the scheme.
  3. Unlike other government schools, a school selected under PM SHRI ceases to be covered by Samagra Shiksha.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. In the selection process for PM SHRI Schools, which one of the following constitutes the first stage?

  • A. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the State/Union Territory with the Union Government
  • B. Identification of a pool of eligible schools from UDISE+ data against prescribed minimum benchmarks
  • C. Certification of fulfilment of the challenge conditions through physical inspection of the schools
  • D. Geo-tagging of shortlisted schools followed by clearance from the Project Approval Board

Q7. Among the following centrally administered school systems, the largest number of institutions upgraded as PM SHRI Schools belongs to:

  • A. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
  • B. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti
  • C. The Demonstration Multipurpose Schools run by NCERT
  • D. The Eklavya Model Residential Schools of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Q8. With reference to the current status of implementation of PM SHRI, consider the following: 1. About 13,070 schools stood upgraded under the scheme against a target of roughly 14,500 schools. 2. The Union Budget allocation to the scheme for 2026-27 is higher than the revised estimate for 2025-26. 3. Schools run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs form the single largest block of PM SHRI Schools. 4. Fulfilment of the scheme's challenge conditions is certified by NITI Aayog through third-party physical inspection. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. About 13,070 schools stood upgraded under the scheme against a target of roughly 14,500 schools.
  2. The Union Budget allocation to the scheme for 2026-27 is higher than the revised estimate for 2025-26.
  3. Schools run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs form the single largest block of PM SHRI Schools.
  4. Fulfilment of the scheme's challenge conditions is certified by NITI Aayog through third-party physical inspection.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q9. Among the States that have declined to sign the PM SHRI Memorandum of Understanding, the largest quantum of scheme funds reported as diverted to other States relates to:

  • A. Tamil Nadu
  • B. Kerala
  • C. West Bengal
  • D. Punjab

Q10. With reference to the Memorandum of Understanding requirement under PM SHRI, consider the following: 1. A State/UT must sign an MoU agreeing to implement NEP 2020 in its entirety before its schools can be selected. 2. The MoU requirement applies only to States, Union Territories being exempt from it. 3. In States that have not signed the MoU, schools may still be selected directly by the Centre under the challenge method. 4. Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas participate in the scheme without a State-level MoU. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. A State/UT must sign an MoU agreeing to implement NEP 2020 in its entirety before its schools can be selected.
  2. The MoU requirement applies only to States, Union Territories being exempt from it.
  3. In States that have not signed the MoU, schools may still be selected directly by the Centre under the challenge method.
  4. Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas participate in the scheme without a State-level MoU.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q11. Which one of the following best describes the principal relationship between PM SHRI and Samagra Shiksha?

  • A. PM SHRI runs on Samagra Shiksha's existing administrative machinery while providing its own additional targeted funding
  • B. PM SHRI has replaced Samagra Shiksha entirely as the sole centrally sponsored scheme for school education
  • C. PM SHRI is a Central Sector sub-component of Samagra Shiksha, funded 100% by the Centre in every State and UT
  • D. All Samagra Shiksha funds are routed exclusively through PM SHRI Schools for mentoring neighbouring schools

Q12. Classified by management, the single largest category of PM SHRI Schools consists of:

  • A. Schools managed by State/UT Governments and local self-governments
  • B. Kendriya Vidyalayas, which by themselves account for a majority of PM SHRI Schools
  • C. Navodaya Vidyalayas, since every Navodaya Vidyalaya is necessarily a PM SHRI School
  • D. Newly built residential model schools established exclusively under this scheme