PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India)
Current Affairs & Government Schemes › Education and Skill Development Schemes · Topic 5.3
PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Education, approved by the Union Cabinet on 7 September 2022, to strengthen more than 14,500 existing schools run by the Centre, states and Union Territories into exemplar schools that showcase the National Education Policy 2020. The total outlay is Rs 27,360 crore for five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27, with a central share of Rs 18,128 crore. Schools are chosen through a Challenge Mode competition. As reported, about 13,092 schools had been selected by July 2026, covering Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and state schools.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Current Affairs & Government Schemes · Education and Skill Development Schemes
At a Glance
- Ministry Education
- Approved 7 September 2022
- Type Centrally Sponsored Scheme
- Outlay Rs 27,360 crore, 2022-27
- Target More than 14,500 schools
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: Education and Skill Development Schemes
Where Does It Fit?
This is the third topic of the macro on education and skill development. It turns the vision of the National Education Policy into model schools, using the funding stream of the main school scheme. Previous topic: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Next topic: Skill India Mission.
How Are PM SHRI Schools Selected and Funded?
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India, shortened to PM SHRI and also written as PM Schools for Rising India |
| Approval | Union Cabinet on 7 September 2022, after the announcement on Teachers’ Day, 5 September 2022 |
| Type | Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy |
| Outlay | Rs 27,360 crore over 2022-23 to 2026-27, of which the Centre bears Rs 18,128 crore |
| Number of schools | More than 14,500 existing schools, with up to two schools per block or urban local body |
| Eligibility | Elementary schools with Classes 1 to 8 and secondary schools with Classes 1 to 12 or 6 to 12, run by Centre, states, Union Territories or local bodies, which meet minimum conditions |
| Selection | Challenge Mode: schools compete on a portal, meeting benchmarks on quality, and are chosen in phases, as in a competition among states and schools |
What Will a PM SHRI School Look Like?
- Pedagogy: competency based, experiential and activity based learning, with art integrated and sports integrated teaching
- Infrastructure: smart classrooms, science and computer labs, libraries, safe water and sanitation, and barrier-free access
- Green school: solar panels, waste management, water conservation and kitchen gardens, in line with the Mission LiFE approach
- Learning outcomes: schools must show improvement, measured through assessments that reflect National Education Policy goals
- Vocational courses: skills training and local internships in middle and secondary classes
- Hub role: these schools are meant to mentor nearby schools and serve as hubs, so reform spreads
- Monitoring: schools are mapped on a dedicated portal, and independent assessment of progress is planned
- Funding use: funds are used for upgrading existing schools and not for building new ones, with the Centre’s share depending on the funding pattern
What Else Should You Remember?
- Link to NEP: the scheme is described as a way to show the National Education Policy in action, as in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- Link to Samagra Shiksha: the scheme is separate from, but works with, the main school scheme, as in Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
- School categories: Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas were included directly, and state schools were chosen through the Challenge Mode
- Selections: official data reported about 12,000 schools selected by 2025 and about 13,092 by July 2026, which is close to 90 per cent of the target
- Phases: selection took place over several rounds, and states had to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to take part
- MoU controversy: some states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal, raised objections to signing, because they saw the MoU as linking funds to the policy, and the Centre linked Samagra Shiksha releases to it for some states, as reported
- Kerala: Kerala was reported to have signed the MoU in 2025 and then paused it after political debate, so the position may change
- Federal angle: the dispute shows tension in a Concurrent List subject between central schemes and state autonomy
- Equity: critics say a model-school approach can widen gaps between chosen schools and others in the same area
- Evidence: there is little independent evidence yet on learning gains, and the government has promised third party evaluation
- Teacher gap: model schools need teachers and principals, and vacancies can undermine the plan
- Timeline: the approved period ends in 2026-27, so continuation will be decided in the next cycle
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Date: Cabinet approval on 7 September 2022
- Numbers: more than 14,500 schools and Rs 27,360 crore
- Mode: Challenge Mode selection
- Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Education
- Traps: PM SHRI upgrades existing schools and is not the same as PM eVIDYA or Samagra Shiksha
As an analytical point, exemplar schools can set standards, but a model school approach must not divert attention from the large number of ordinary schools. The scheme will succeed if hub schools lift neighbours and if centre-state disputes do not delay funds.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Facts Dates, numbers, mode
- Policy NEP in practice
- Mains Federal tension
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the national mission for skilling. Next topic: Skill India Mission.
Key People and Terms
- PM SHRI Model school scheme
- Challenge Mode Competitive selection
- KV Kendriya Vidyalaya
- JNV Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
- MoU Agreement with states
- UDISE+ School data system
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Approved: 7 September 2022.
- Schools: 14,500+.
- Outlay: Rs 27,360 crore.
- Period: 2022-23 to 2026-27.
- Selection: Challenge Mode.
Do Not Confuse With
- PM SHRI and Samagra Shiksha Model schools versus the umbrella school scheme
- PM SHRI and Kendriya Vidyalaya Scheme to upgrade schools versus a central school system
- PM SHRI and PM eVIDYA Physical model schools versus digital learning platform
Memory Hook
Fourteen thousand five hundred schools, one challenge, a model for the rest.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about model schools and federalism. These points give a frame.
- Aim Exemplar schools for NEP
- Concerns Equity and MoU dispute
- Way Spread reform and share funds
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Examine whether model schools such as PM SHRI can improve the quality of school education across India.”
How to Answer
- Intro State the scheme and its scale.
- Merits Showcase, hub role, NEP alignment.
- Concerns Equity, MoU dispute, teachers.
- Way Hub mentoring, evaluation, cooperative federalism.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM SHRI scheme?
PM SHRI, or PM Schools for Rising India, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Education, approved on 7 September 2022. It upgrades more than 14,500 existing schools into exemplar institutions that showcase the National Education Policy 2020, with an outlay of Rs 27,360 crore from 2022-23 to 2026-27.
Which ministry runs PM SHRI?
The Ministry of Education runs PM SHRI through its Department of School Education and Literacy. States and Union Territories implement it, along with the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, and school selection takes place on a portal through a Challenge Mode competition.
How are PM SHRI schools selected?
Schools are chosen through Challenge Mode. They apply on a portal and must meet benchmarks on quality, and states and Union Territories are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas are covered directly, and up to two schools per block are selected.
How many schools have been selected under PM SHRI?
As reported from official data, about 13,092 schools had been selected by July 2026 against a target of over 14,500, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas. The figure changes with each round, so the latest number should be checked on the official PM SHRI portal.
What is the latest status of the PM SHRI dispute?
Some states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal, objected to signing the Memorandum of Understanding, as they felt it tied Samagra Shiksha funds to the National Education Policy. Kerala was reported to have signed in 2025 and then paused, so the position remains contested and should be checked.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 PM SHRI schools are selected through Challenge Mode.
Schools compete to meet benchmarks.
2 PM SHRI aims to build 14,500 new schools.
It upgrades existing schools.
3 PM SHRI is run by the Ministry of Education.
Via School Education and Literacy.
4 The outlay of PM SHRI is Rs 27,360 crore.
Central share is Rs 18,128 crore.
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