New Hope for PM SHRI: Centre Reaches Out to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu

The Centre aims to revive the PM SHRI scheme in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu following recent political shifts. The Ministry of Education plans to send letters urging state leaders to sign the necessary agreements. Increased cooperation could bolster educational reforms under NEP 2020.

The Centre, buoyed by recent political changes, is renewing its efforts to implement the PM SHRI scheme in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Officials from the Ministry of Education have confirmed that letters will be dispatched to the Chief Secretaries of both states, urging prompt signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pivotal for rolling out the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) initiative in government schools.

A senior official expressed optimism about the states' participation following recent dynamic shifts in their political landscapes. "The Centre is hopeful that the states will now implement the PM SHRI scheme," the official stated, referencing recent Assembly election outcomes that have altered scenarios in both regions—developments that might facilitate the implementation of crucial education reforms linked to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Previously, the governments of Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal and DMK-led Tamil Nadu declined to partake in the centrally sponsored scheme, withholding their signatures on the required MoU. Additionally, the ministry aims to encourage West Bengal to adopt the ULLAS scheme focusing on adult literacy. Meanwhile in Kerala, efforts to revive the PM SHRI agreement are anticipated, following a paused state agreement initially made in 2025. Officials observe potential smoother implementation paths in West Bengal post-BJP's electoral triumph, whilst uncertainties linger in Tamil Nadu due to actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay's political ascendance with TVK's election victory.