PM SHRI Schools: Goal to turn 14,500 Schools into Model Schools

The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme aims to play a pivotal role in making India's school education system more modern, inclusive, and future-ready. Launched on September 7, 2022, this centrally sponsored scheme seeks to transform over 14,500 existing schools across the country into model schools, aligned with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The total projected expenditure for the scheme from 2022–23 to 2026–27 is ₹27,360 crore, with the central share amounting to ₹18,128 crore.

As of July 2026, 13,092 schools have been selected across 36 states and union territories. These schools are spread across 725 districts and 8,340 blocks or urban local bodies, with the potential to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students.

In PM SHRI schools, the focus is shifting from routine learning to experiential learning. Students are being introduced to concepts such as bagless days, internships with local artisans, local arts and crafts, cultural activities, and indigenous knowledge.

At the same time, efforts are being made to foster creativity, leadership, resilience, and adaptability through sports, arts, life skills, and socio emotional development. There is also an objective to align teaching learning methods with the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure outlined in NEP 2020.

Focus has been placed on the use of the mother tongue, as well as local or regional languages, particularly at the primary level. According to UDISE+ 2025–26 data, PM SHRI schools employ 6,102 Sanskrit, 1,994 Urdu, and 9,152 regional language teachers.

Technology enabled education is another key aspect of this scheme. Efforts are being made to foster digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through the use of ICT facilities, smart classrooms, internet connectivity, STEM programs, and digital platforms like DIKSHA.

Provisions have been made for financial assistance of up to ₹3 lakh per DIET and up to ₹2,500 per teacher for teacher training.

The 13,092 selected schools include 1,305 primary, 3,102 upper primary, 3,141 secondary, and 5,544 higher secondary schools. Additionally, the list includes 80 KGBV, 913 KVS, 620 NVS, and 4 NCERT schools.

PM SHRI schools are selected through a three stage 'Challenge Mode'. Aspects such as infrastructure, learning outcomes, pedagogy, PM POSHAN, vocational education, green initiatives, and stakeholder commitment are evaluated. A minimum score of 70% is required for urban schools, while 60% is required for rural schools.

Ultimately, the overall goal of PM SHRI is not merely to improve the selected schools in isolation, but to share the impact of this transformation across the broader school education system.

The plan aims to create a more fair and complete education system by combining improved infrastructure with quality teaching, technology, inclusion, local language integration, sustainability, and future-ready skills.

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