PM SHRI: Transforming School Education Under NEP 2020
Source: PIB
GS II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education and Human Resources
Overview
- PM SHRI aims to transform existing schools into exemplar institutions that demonstrate the effective implementation of NEP 2020 and promote quality, inclusive and future-ready education.
- The scheme focuses on holistic learning, combining competency-based and experiential education with technology integration, multilingualism, sustainability and the development of 21st-century skills.
- Teacher capacity building, modern infrastructure, quality assessment and school leadership form important components of the initiative to improve learning outcomes and institutional quality.
- By serving as model and mentor institutions for neighbouring schools, PM SHRI seeks to create a wider impact and strengthen the overall school education system in India.
Why in the News?
The Press Information Bureau highlighted the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) Scheme, which aims to develop more than 14,500 existing schools as exemplar institutions aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
News in Brief
- Launched on 7 September 2022, PM SHRI is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
- The scheme has a total project cost of ₹27,360 crore for the period 2022–23 to 2026–27.
- As of July 2026, 13,092 schools, around 90% of the target, have been selected across States and Union Territories.
- The selected schools include institutions under Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and NCERT.
- The scheme is expected to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students.
About PM SHRI Scheme
Objective
- The scheme seeks to strengthen existing schools and develop them as model or exemplar schools demonstrating the effective implementation of NEP 2020.
- These schools aim to provide,
- Quality education
- Modern and safe infrastructure
- Inclusive and equitable learning
- Experiential and learner-centered pedagogy
- Technology-enabled education
- Sustainability and environmental consciousness
- Exposure to 21st- century skills.
- PM SHRI schools are also expected to act as mentor institutions for neighboring schools, creating a wider ripple effect in school education.
Key Features of PM SHRI Schools
Inclusive and Equitable Education
- Focus on students from diverse social, linguistic and academic backgrounds.
- Promotes multilingual learning.
- Encourages the use of the mother tongue, local or regional language, particularly during the early years.
- Seeks to reduce educational disparities, especially for rural and underserved communities.
Experiential Learning
- The scheme promotes:
- Inquiry-based learning
- Integrated and holistic learning
- Play and toy-based learning
- Bagless days
- Internships with local artisans
- Learning about local arts, crafts and traditions
- Celebration of important cultural events
- Preservation of indigenous knowledge.
- PM SHRI schools promote:
- ICT facilities
- Smart classrooms
- Internet connectivity
- Digital learning platforms
- STEM-based programmes
- Digital literacy and technological competencies
- Platforms such as DIKSHA support the availability and sharing of digital educational resources.
Holistic Development
- The schools integrate academic education with:
- Sports
- Arts
- Extracurricular activities
- Life skills
- Leadership development
- Creativity
- Socio-emotional competencies
- This reflects the broader vision of NEP 2020 of moving beyond conventional academic achievement.
Green and Sustainable Schools
- Environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices form an important benchmark for school quality under the PM SHRI framework.
Teacher and School Leadership Development
- PM SHRI focuses on strengthening teachers and school leaders through structured professional development.
- DIETs- District Institutes of Education and Training receive financial assistance for capacity-building programmes.
- Teachers and principals receive training in pedagogy, school safety, ICT integration and educational leadership.
- Promote continuous professional development among educational personnel.
The Six Pillars of PM SHRI Schools
The scheme is based on six major pillars derived from the broader framework of NEP 2020.
It aims to transform education with a commitment to quality assurance through,
- Curriculum. pedagogy and assessment
- Access and infrastructure
- Human Resources and School Leadership
- Management, Monitoring and Governance
- Inclusive Practices and Gender Equity
- Beneficiary Satisfaction
Selection of PM SHRI Schools
Schools are selected through a three-stage Challenge Mode.
Stage 1: Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
States and Union Territories (UTs) enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre, outlining their commitments towards providing the requisite support and enabling the selected schools to achieve the prescribed quality standards for PM SHRI Schools.
Stage 2: Identification of Eligible Schools
Schools meeting minimum benchmarks are identified using prescribed indicators and UDISE+ data.
Stage 3: Selection through the Challenge Method
- Eligible schools compete based on specified quality criteria. Compliance is verified through physical inspection, followed by final selection by an Expert Committee.
- Urban schools require a minimum score of 70%.
- Rural schools require a minimum score of 60%.
- Assessment covers infrastructure, pedagogy, learning outcomes, PM POSHAN, vocational education, green initiatives and stakeholder commitment.
Every School, A Model School
- PM SHRI represents a paradigm shift from an infrastructure-centric approach to school development towards the establishment of holistic, inclusive, equitable, and future-ready learning institutions.
- The initiative operationalises the vision and priorities of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by emphasising quality and competency-based learning, continuous teacher professional development, technology-enabled education, and the creation of a safe, inclusive, and enabling school environment.
- By combining these elements, PM SHRI schools aim to create learning environments that prepare students with knowledge, skills and adaptability needed for the future.
- In this way, the scheme seeks to develop schools that can serve as models for improving the wider schools education system.
Challenges
- Ensuring uniform quality across States and regions.
- Bridging rural-urban disparities in infrastructure and digital access.
- Effective implementation of multilingual and experiential learning.
- Ensuring adequate teacher capacity and continuous training.
- Scaling successful practices from PM SHRI schools to neighbouring schools.
- Maintaining quality standards after the initial financial support period.
Way Forward and Conclusion
Going forward, the focus should be on ensuring the effective implementation of PM SHRI across regions, strengthening teacher capacity, bridging digital and infrastructure gaps, and sharing successful practices with neighbouring schools. Regular quality assessment and greater community participation can further help sustain improvements in learning outcomes.
PM SHRI represents an important step towards translating the vision of NEP 2020 into practice. By creating inclusive, technology-enabled and holistic learning environments, the scheme has the potential to develop model schools and contribute to broader improvements in India’s school education system.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
With reference to the PM SHRI Scheme, consider the following statements:
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at developing existing schools as exemplar institutions aligned with NEP 2020.
- Schools are selected through a three-stage Challenge Mode based on prescribed quality benchmarks.
- Only schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education are eligible to become PM SHRI Schools.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Mains Practice Question
Q. Discuss the challenges associated with improving the quality and accessibility of school education in India. Suggest measures to make the education system more inclusive, equitable and future-ready. (250 words).
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