Kerala opposes the PM SHRI scheme, citing concerns over NEP 2020’s imposition of Hindi and central control over education. Alleging fund cuts of ₹1,500 crore in retaliation, the state plans legal action. Kerala maintains it already meets PM SHRI standards and values autonomy in educational policy and implementation.
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Kerala opposes PM SHRI due to National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 concerns and alleges Centre withheld education funds in response.
The Kerala government and the Central government are in dispute over the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, an initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.Kerala accuses the Centre of withholding Rs 1,500 crore in educational funds because Kerala refuses to adopt the PM SHRI scheme. Now, Kerala is planning to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Centre’s actions.
It was launched by the Union Ministry of Education, to transform over 14,500 schools across India into model institutions that reflect the goals of NEP 2020.The scheme, running from 2022-23 to 2026-27, has a total budget of ₹27,360 crore, with the Centre contributing ₹18,128 crore and states covering 40% of the costs.
Currently, 12,400 schools across 670 districts, from primary to higher secondary levels, have joined the scheme. These schools receive funds to upgrade facilities, train teachers, and align with NEP’s vision of promoting critical thinking and multilingualism.
However, states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have not participated because they refuse to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre to implement the scheme.
Concerns About NEP 2020
The state fears that NEP’s policies, such as the three-language formula (promoting Hindi, English, and a regional language), could marginalize regional languages like Malayalam and impose Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states.
Loss of State Autonomy
Kerala argues that the PM SHRI scheme would bring state-run schools under excessive Central control. By signing the MoU, the state believes it would lose authority over its education system. The state also objects to displaying “PM SHRI school” boards, seeing it as a branding exercise by the Centre.
Existing Infrastructure
Kerala claims it has already implemented many elements of the PM SHRI scheme independently. For example, the state has equipped 40,000 smart classrooms with broadband connectivity in government and aided schools over the past nine years. Kerala argues that its education system is advanced and does not need the PM SHRI framework to meet NEP’s standards.
Supreme Court on NEP
The Supreme Court has clarified that it cannot force states to adopt NEP 2020 under Article 32 of the Constitution, which protects fundamental rights.
In May 2025, the Court dismissed a petition seeking to enforce NEP’s three-language formula in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. The Court stated that while it cannot mandate NEP’s adoption, it can intervene if a state’s actions (or inaction) violate fundamentalrights.
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