The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released an advisory instructing schools to apply online if they wish to add the ‘PM SHRI’ prefix to their names. The registration process is available on the CBSE SARAS portal under the “Change in Name of School” category, to be accessed when the board reopens the link in the next academic session.
Currently, the SARAS portal for the 2025-26 academic session remains closed, and schools will need to await the reopening of the link in the upcoming year to submit their applications. As part of the application, schools are required to upload an approval letter issued by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, confirming eligibility for the prefix under the PM SHRI Scheme.
The notification follows an influx of requests from schools seeking to update their names to align with the PM School for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. This flagship scheme, launched by the Modi government on September 7, 2022, aims to elevate educational standards by integrating modern learning methodologies and equipping students with essential 21st-century skills.
PM SHRI Scheme Overview
The PM SHRI scheme is a five-year initiative with a budget allocation of Rs 27,000 crore, jointly funded by the central and state governments. Under this ambitious plan, around 14,500 schools across India will be transformed into ‘exemplar’ institutions, with each school showcasing the successful implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The initiative focuses on upgrading government-run institutions, including centrally administered schools, state government schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs), into ‘model’ schools that prioritize quality education and skill development.
By mandating an online application process through the SARAS portal, CBSE aims to streamline the registration process and ensure that schools can efficiently align with the objectives of the PM SHRI scheme. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector and creating an environment that promotes comprehensive, future-oriented learning.
