Tamil Nadu and Kerala have retracted from the PM-Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme after the Central government withheld funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). The education ministries of both states argue that the Centre’s refusal to release funds unless they fully implement PM-SHRI violates the autonomy of state education policies.
Initial Agreement and Subsequent Reversal
Both Tamil Nadu and Kerala had agreed in writing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement PM-SHRI. Tamil Nadu, in a letter dated March 15, 2024, expressed its willingness to adopt PM-SHRI before the start of the 2024–25 academic year and requested the release of the second instalment of funds for 2023–24.
However, Tamil Nadu’s Education Minister later stated that the state had not received approximately ₹2,400 crore under SSA for 2024–25 and a final payment of ₹249 crore for 2023–24. Tamil Nadu proposed removing the ‘PM’ prefix from the scheme’s title and sought the release of SSA funds excluding the PM-SHRI allocation. The Centre rejected both proposals, insisting that SSA funds could not be disbursed unless all PM-SHRI objectives were adopted.
Similarly, Kerala indicated its willingness to sign the MoU in a letter dated March 30, 2024. Despite this, the funds remained withheld. Kerala’s education committee raised concerns that PM-SHRI’s requirements conflicted with the state’s existing public education policy and might force state schools to adopt a different syllabus under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Opposition from West Bengal
West Bengal, led by Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC), has consistently opposed PM-SHRI. The state refused to sign the MoU despite repeated reminders from the Education Ministry on six occasions between 2022 and 2024. As a result, the Centre stopped releasing SSA funds to West Bengal from July 2024.
Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar confirmed that West Bengal has yet to sign an MoU for PM-SHRI. In a social media post, he stated that the TMC government has “refused to sign a single MoU for the scheme.”
SSA-PM-SHRI Link and State Concerns
The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), launched in 2018, funds teacher salaries, infrastructure, and other operational expenses in state schools. The Centre covers 60% of SSA funding, with states contributing the remaining 40%. In 2021, SSA was aligned with the NEP 2020. The following year, the Centre introduced PM-SHRI under SSA, linking SSA funding to the implementation of PM-SHRI objectives.
The PM-SHRI scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2022, aims to establish 14,500 model schools across India to reflect the objectives of the NEP. States that refuse to implement PM-SHRI risk losing SSA funds, creating tension between the Centre and opposition-led states.
Political and Educational Implications
Tamil Nadu and Kerala have accused the Centre of using financial pressure to force PM-SHRI adoption. Both states argue that accepting PM-SHRI could lead to a dual-syllabus system, creating confusion among students. They have also raised concerns that the scheme could undermine their education policies and autonomy.
Meanwhile, West Bengal’s firm opposition and the financial strain on Tamil Nadu and Kerala highlight the growing divide between the Centre and non-NDA states over education policy. The outcome of these disputes could influence how states negotiate with the Centre on future education reforms.
Conclusion
The conflict over PM-SHRI highlights the challenges of balancing central education policies with state autonomy. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal have resisted the scheme, citing concerns over curriculum control and financial pressure. The Centre’s insistence on aligning SSA with PM-SHRI objectives has deepened political tensions and raised questions about the future of school education funding in India.
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