PM SHRI Scheme: Transforming Indian School Education System

#GS-2 #Governance & Social Justice #Education #Government Policies & Interventions #Current Events #National

Key takeaways

The PM SHRI Scheme was launched on 7th September 2022 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Education to upgrade over 14,500 schools.
As of July 2026, authorities selected 13,092 schools across 725 districts, achieving 90% of the target.
The project operates for five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 with a total Central outlay of ₹18,128 crore.
Annual spending increased by 107%, rising from ₹2,520 crore in 2023-24 to ₹5,224 crore in 2026-27.
According to UDISE+ 2025-26 data, PM SHRI schools employ 6,102 Sanskrit teachers, 1,994 Urdu teachers, and 9,152 regional language teachers to support multilingual learning.

The PM SHRI Scheme is making fast progress by upgrading regular schools into exemplar institutions that follow the NEP 2020 vision.
By July 2026, authorities selected 13,092 schools across 36 States and Union Territories, reaching 90% of the target of over 14,500 schools.

India is transforming school education by focusing on quality, fairness, inclusion, and modern learning under the framework of NEP 2020.
The government launched the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India scheme on 7th September 2022 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Education.
The scheme aims to strengthen more than 14,500 existing schools, including those under Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.
The project runs for five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 with a total Central share of ₹18,128 crore.
The approved board budget grew from ₹2,520 crore in 2023-24 to ₹5,224 crore in 2026-27, showing a 107% jump in spending.
These upgraded schools offer safe and modern environments while mentoring neighboring schools through shared best practices.

Selected institutions serve as model schools that spread NEP 2020 standards to nearby regional schools through teacher training and resource sharing.
The initiative encourages lifelong learning to help students become active, productive, and responsible citizens.
These schools demonstrate practical methods for delivering joyful, inclusive, and modern skill-based education.

Schools follow CBSE or state curricula mapped to the 5+3+3+4 structure of the National Curriculum Framework.
State governments have full freedom to adjust study materials according to local needs while keeping core national values intact.
Students learn through practical activities like bagless days, local craft workshops, cultural events, and traditional arts.

The scheme delivers equal educational opportunities by helping students from diverse backgrounds and different learning needs.
Primary classes focus on teaching in the child's mother tongue or regional language to improve understanding.
Data from UDISE+ 2025-26 shows that these schools employ 6,102 Sanskrit teachers, 1,994 Urdu teachers, and 9,152 regional language teachers.
Community participation combined with local language teaching helps young students build strong foundational reading and math skills.

Schools build smart classrooms with high-speed internet, smartboards, and modern software to make learning interactive.
Using technology daily builds digital literacy, logical thinking, and technical problem-solving skills among students.
Portals like DIKSHA share high-quality digital textbooks and learning tools directly with teachers and students.

The curriculum blends regular subjects with sports, arts, physical activities, and essential life skills.
Classroom activities focus on building creative thinking, team leadership, emotional strength, and adaptiveness.
Students gain practical life skills that prepare them to deal with future academic and professional challenges.

District Institutes of Education and Training, known as DIETs, conduct professional development courses for school teachers.
The government allocates up to ₹3 lakh per DIET and up to ₹2,500 per teacher for specialized subject and technical training.
School principals receive specialized training in institutional management, academic planning, and leadership.
Teachers complete regular modules on holistic report cards, student safety, mental wellness, and digital tools.

The program covers 13,092 schools managed by state governments, local bodies, KVS, NVS, and NCERT.
This expansive footprint extends across 725 districts and 8,340 blocks, bringing modern education to every corner of India.

The PM SHRI Scheme marks a big shift from simple building upgrades to creating complete, modern, and inclusive learning spaces.
By building model schools under NEP 2020, India is creating a scalable system to raise education standards nationwide.