The recent updates on the PM-SHRI (Schools for Rising India) scheme in Kerala indicate significant political and administrative developments. Initially, Kerala signed an MoU with the central government to implement the scheme, which aims to develop 14,500 exemplar schools across the country to showcase aspects of the NEP 2020. However, amidst growing political controversy and pressure from coalition partner CPI, the Kerala government has decided to put the scheme on hold and set up a seven-member cabinet sub-committee to review its implementation.​​
Key Points:

• Kerala government, citing concerns over the scheme’s implications, has paused its implementation until the review is complete.​
• The move follows objections from CPI, which argued that the scheme could undermine federalism and push a centralised education agenda, leading to coalition tensions within the LDF.​​
• The government’s decision to review coincides with prior resistance to the NEP 2020, highlighting ongoing debates about centralisation in education policy.​​
• The scheme aims at enhancing existing government and local body schools at various levels, adopting innovative and vocational learning methods.​​

Political Ramifications:

• Kerala’s coalition partner CPI has strongly opposed the scheme, demanding its complete withdrawal, with protests and street-level opposition from student groups.​
• The government’s action reflects the broader political debate about federalism and educational control between state and central authorities.​​
• Kerala now plans to communicate its concerns to the Centre, seeking relaxation of some scheme provisions.​

Overall, Kerala's government has temporarily halted the PM-SHRI scheme’s rollout in response to political pressures, with ongoing reviews and negotiations expected to shape its future course.

About PM- SHRI school

• The PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme is a centrally sponsored initiative launched by the Government of India on September 7, 2022.
• Its aim is to qualitatively strengthen and upgrade over 14,500 existing schools across the country into model institutions that exemplify the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• These schools, known as PM SHRI Schools, focus on holistic education, modern infrastructure, innovative teaching methods, and overall student development, including cognitive, physical, emotional, and social skills.​

Key features of PM SHRI Schools include:

• Modern infrastructure such as smart classrooms, digital labs, integrated science labs, Atal Tinkering Labs, and sports facilities.
• Emphasis on competency-based, experiential, inquiry-driven, and learner-centered pedagogy.
• Integration of green initiatives like solar panels, rainwater harvesting, waste management, and nutrition gardens.
• Focus on inclusivity, equitable access for underprivileged and differently-abled students, and multilingual education.
• Teacher training and continuous professional development to improve pedagogy.
• Community engagement fostering parental involvement and linkages with local industries for skill development.​

The scheme runs from 2022-23 to 2026-27, with shared funding between the central government and states. The selection of schools is competitive, based on a "Challenge Mode" process, ensuring only schools meeting certain quality benchmarks are chosen. As of late 2025, over 7,500 schools have already been upgraded under PM SHRI, with the goal to complete the transformation of 14,500 schools by 2027.​
Thus, PM SHRI schools serve as model institutions demonstrating excellence in education, aligned fully with the NEP 2020 vision of equity, inclusivity, pluralism, and preparing students for holistic development and future-ready skills.

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