Centre to Prompt Bengal, Tamil Nadu to Sign PM SHRI Scheme MoU
Why it matters
The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, a central initiative to upgrade over 14,500 schools, requires states to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementation. While most states have already agreed, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu initially hesitated, raising concerns about mandatory NEP 2020 adoption. This renewed push on May 6, 2026, arrives after shifts in the political landscape post-election.
Securing central funding for school infrastructure and pedagogical improvements hinges on signing the MoU. For both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, participation means their schools could gain access to modern technology, green infrastructure, and vocational training. The move also suggests a potential move towards greater cooperative federalism in education policy.
- Scheme: PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India)
- Target States: West Bengal, Tamil Nadu
- Requirement: Signed MoU
- Objective: Implement NEP 2020 model schools
Glossary
Term: PM SHRI: A central scheme to upgrade and develop more than 14,500 schools to showcase the components of the National Education Policy 2020.
Term: MoU: Memorandum of Understanding; a formal agreement between two or more parties that outlines a collaborative plan of action.
NaukriSync Exam Angle
Government Schemes and Policies. Key fact to memorise: PM SHRI is a centrally sponsored scheme designed to upgrade schools into model institutions aligned with NEP 2020. The Centre has recently urged West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to sign the mandatory MoU for its rollout. Most likely question format: MCQ asking which two states were recently urged to sign the PM SHRI MoU or identifying the primary objective of the PM SHRI scheme.