Government Schemes: Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)
Context:
The Union Ministry of Education has issued a fresh, urgent reminder to the state governments of West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu regarding the pending implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.
This renewed push comes immediately after the conclusion of Assembly elections in these three States.
Features of PM SHRI:
The initiative was officially launched in September 2022.
It is structured as a five-year initiative and is currently running well into its third year of operation.
The Centre has stressed that there is only limited time left for the scheme to successfully complete its designated duration.
The primary aim of the scheme is to radically upgrade and transform over 14,500 schools across the country into "exemplar institutions."
These selected schools are intended to lead the way in effectively implementing the overarching vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
According to the Union School Education Secretary, the scheme has already seen widespread national acceptance, with 34 States and Union Territories having moved forward with its implementation.
Implementation Hurdles in Specific States:
West Bengal:
The Centre has sent 11 reminder letters since 2022 to sign MoU to implement the scheme.
This ongoing delay has directly resulted in the postponement of selecting and developing PM SHRI schools in the State, denying intended educational benefits to students.
Kerala:
As of late 2025, the Kerala government has kept the MoU in abeyance.
The State had previously moved to constitute a dedicated committee to examine specific implementation concerns, causing undue delay in the selection of state government schools.
Tamil Nadu:
Although the State had previously provided an official undertaking to introduce the PM SHRI scheme for the 2024-25 academic session, the process stubbornly remains incomplete despite 12 official requests from the Central government.