Kerala signs MoU with Centre to join PM SHRI schools scheme

Kerala had earlier opted out citing concerns that participation could pave the way for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the state

Published on: Oct 24, 2025, 16:35:43 IST

By Sanjay Maurya

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New Delhi: Kerala has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre to join the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, the union education ministry announced on Friday.

The PM SHRI initiative, launched in September 2022, aims to transform 14,500 existing government schools into model institutions. (Representative photo)

The PM SHRI initiative, launched in September 2022, aims to transform 14,500 existing government schools into model institutions. This centrally sponsored scheme follows a 60:40 funding model between the Centre and the states.

The signing of the MoU under the PM SHRI scheme marks a significant policy shift for Kerala, which had earlier opted out, citing concerns that participation could pave the way for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the state. The Kerala government had also objected to the requirement of displaying PM SHRI boards in state-run schools.

“This marks a major milestone in transforming school education in Kerala, developing schools as centres of excellence with modern infrastructure, smart classrooms, experiential learning, and a strong focus on skill development in line with the NEP 2020. Together, we are committed to providing quality, inclusive, and holistic education that nurtures innovation and prepares students for a brighter future,” the Union education ministry said in a post on X.

Also Read: 75 Delhi govt schools to get PM Shri tag, smart upgrades

Kerala’s earlier refusal to sign the MoU had prompted the centre to withhold its share of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds. “This was the only way to secure the centre’s share of around ₹1,500 crore, which has been pending for various educational programmes in Kerala,” said state education minister V. Sivankutty.

Launched with a total outlay of ₹27,360 crore ( ₹18,128 crore as central share) for five years (2022–23 to 2026–27), PM SHRI is expected to benefit 1.8 million students. Under the scheme, over 13,000 schools have been selected across the country. The states of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are yet to sign the MoU for the scheme.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sanjay Maurya
Sanjay Maurya is a Principal Correspondent with Hindustan Times, where he covers education, with a focus on school and higher education, competitive examinations, education policy and governance. Working as part of the National Bureau, he is based in New Delhi and reports on the Ministry of Education and covers various statutory bodies like UGC, AICTE and NCTE and autonomous bodies like CBSE and NCERT. His reporting also tracks the implementation of key government reforms and policies from school education to higher education including in IITs, NITs, IIMs, central and state universities, and their impact on students and educational institutions. His reporting on the irregularities and rushed implementation of CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for evaluation of Class 12 board exams 2026, triggered administrative action, leading to the transfer of the board's two senior-most officials and the constitution of a committee to probe alleged irregularities in procurement process of the system. He joined Hindustan Times in December 2024. Prior to that, he had a three-year stint at Careers360, where he reported on school and higher education, entrance examinations, admissions, rankings and various education policies involving universities and professional education bodies. Over the years, Maurya has reported extensively on major developments in India's education sector, including the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, changes in school education, higher education regulation, and the evolution of entrance examinations such as NEET, JEE and CUET. He regularly produces data-driven and explanatory stories based on government documents, parliamentary proceedings, court records and official data. His focus remains on helping readers understand how education policies and institutional decisions affect millions of students, teachers and educational institutions across the country.Read More

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