**Executive Summary**
This document contains the Ministry of Education's response to questions raised in Lok Sabha concerning the PM SHRI scheme in Kerala, specifically regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), upgradation of schools, stakeholder concerns, and pending funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. The MoU was signed on 23rd October 2025. The State of Kerala has been requested to upload information of schools on PM SHRI portal.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **PM SHRI Scheme Overview**
* PM SHRI is a centrally sponsored scheme focused on strengthening existing schools managed by Central/State/UT Governments/local bodies.
* PM SHRI schools will showcase initiatives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and provide benchmarking leadership.
* **MoU and School Selection**
* States/UTs, including Kerala, sign an MoU with the Centre to support schools in achieving quality assurance.
* Selection of PM SHRI schools occurs through a transparent challenge mode where schools compete to become exemplar schools.
* **Upgradation of Schools**
* The number of schools in Kerala for upgradation depends on scheme norms (maximum two schools per block/ULB), prescribed criteria, and balance target availability.
* **Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan**
* This is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented in partnership with States and UTs and aligned with NEP 2020.
* Financial assistance is provided based on the State's Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B).
* The release of the central share depends on submission of utilization certificates, audit reports, and progress reports, and compliance with scheme norms.
* **Funding for Kerala (FY 2025-26)**
* Total PAB approved: ₹761.08 crores.
* Total central share approved: ₹452.05 crores.
* Total central share released (first installment): ₹92.41 crores.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Kerala**
* **Impact**: Responsible for signing the MoU, implementing the PM SHRI scheme, and ensuring school participation in the challenge mode.
* **Action Required**: Upload information of schools on PM SHRI portal. Prepare and submit the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) under Samagra Shiksha, and ensure compliance with scheme norms for fund release.
**Schools in Kerala**
* **Impact**: Schools have the opportunity to be selected as PM SHRI schools and receive support for upgradation and showcasing NEP 2020 initiatives.
* **Action Required**: Participate in the transparent challenge mode for selection as PM SHRI schools.
**Department of School Education & Literacy**
* **Impact**: Responsible for implementation the centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha in partnership with all the States and UTs.
* **Action Required**: Financial assistance is provided to all States and UTs for various components for implementation of the interventions under Samagra Shiksha as per norms.
Key Entities Referenced
PM SHRI: Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India scheme, a centrally sponsored scheme for upgrading schools.
Kerala: The State of Kerala, which is the subject of the MoU and the PM SHRI scheme implementation.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Referenced policy document that the PM SHRI schools aim to showcase.
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: Centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Department of School Education & Literacy.
Department of School Education and Literacy: The department responsible for implementing the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO – 2373
ANSWERED ON – 15/12/2025
Negotiations of MoU for the PM SHRI Scheme in Kerala
2373. Shri K C Venugopal:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the timeline of the negotiations and execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for
the PM SHRI scheme with the State Government of Kerala, including the date of signing and any
subsequent communications regarding withholding or implementation status as on date along with
the total funds sanctioned, disbursed or withheld, if any;
(b) the number of schools in Kerala proposed for upgradation under the said scheme;
(c) whether any complaints and concerns from stakeholders, including teacher associations, parent
groups and civil societies regarding the scheme's linkage to the National Education Policy (NEP)
have been received and addressed, if so, the details and outcomes thereof; and
(d) whether any funds are pending for sanction and disbursal under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for
Kerala and if so, the total amount pending and the timeline for disbursal?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (c): Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) is a centrally sponsored scheme
in which PM SHRI schools are set up by strengthening the existing schools from amongst schools
managed by Central Government/State/UT Government/local bodies. These schools are to
showcase all the initiatives of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, be the exemplar schools, and
also offer benchmarking leadership to other schools in the neighbourhood.
Under the PM SHRI scheme, States/UTs sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Centre, laying down the commitments for supporting these schools for achieving specified quality
assurance as PM SHRI schools. Thereafter, the selection of PM SHRI schools is done through the
challenge mode, wherein schools compete for support to become exemplar schools.
The State of Kerala has signed the MoU on 23rd October 2025, which is to be followed by
transparent challenge mode for the selection of PM SHRI schools. The State of Kerala has been
requested to upload information of schools on PM SHRI portal.The number of schools in Kerala proposed for upgradation under the PM SHRI scheme
depends on the norms of the scheme, which limit maximum of two schools per block/ULB, the
number of schools that meet the prescribed criteria, and the availability of the balance target under
the scheme.
PM SHRI schools are exemplar schools of NEP 2020, where its multiple facets are given
effect to.
(d): The Department of School Education & Literacy is implementing the centrally sponsored
scheme of Samagra Shiksha in partnership with all the States and UTs. Samagra Shiksha has been
aligned with NEP 2020. Financial assistance is provided to all States and UTs for various
components for implementation of the interventions under Samagra Shiksha as per norms.
Accordingly, the annual plans under Samagra Shiksha are prepared by the States and UTs based on
their requirements and priority and this is reflected in their respective Annual Work Plan and Budget
(AWP&B). These plans are then appraised and approved/estimated by Project Approval Board
(PAB) in consultation with the States and UTs as per the programmatic and financial norms of the
scheme. The release of central share depends on the submission of the utilisation certificates, audit
reports in respect of funds released earlier, physical and financial progress reports, State
contributions and compliance with the scheme norms.
The details of the Central Government funds sanctioned and disbursed under Samagra
Shiksha Abhiyan to the State of Kerala in the FY 2025-26 is as follows:
(Rs. in crores)
Total central share
Total central share
Financial Year Total PAB approved released (First
approved
installment)
2025-26 761.08 452.05 92.41
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