GS-2Editorials04 August 2026thehindu.com

The dilemma over PM SHRI in Kerala

The article discusses the dilemma faced by the newly elected Congress-led UDF government in Kerala regarding the implementation of the centrally sponsored PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme. Similar to the previous LDF government, the UDF is caught between the need for significant central education funds (₹1,158.13 crore) and ideological opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which the PM SHRI scheme mandates states to implement. The state's wavering stance highlights the challenges of balancing fiscal prudence, coalition pressures, and state autonomy in curriculum development against central policy directives and funding conditions. States like Punjab and Tamil Nadu's past actions regarding central schemes and NEP are also mentioned.

The article discusses the dilemma faced by the newly elected Congress-led UDF government in Kerala regarding the implementation of the centrally sponsored PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme. Similar to the previous LDF government, the UDF is caught between the need for significant central education funds (₹1,158.13 crore) and ideological opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which the PM SHRI scheme mandates states to implement. The state's wavering stance highlights the challenges of balancing fiscal prudence, coalition pressures, and state autonomy in curriculum development against central policy directives and funding conditions. States like Punjab and Tamil Nadu's past actions regarding central schemes and NEP are also mentioned.

Exam linkage

GS Paper II: Indian Polity & Governance - Federal structure, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Syllabus mapping

Indian Polity & GovernanceFederal Structure & Centre-State RelationsIndian Culture Art ArchitectureModern Indian HistoryIndian Society DiversityGlobalization Indian SocietyIndian Constitution

This topic appears in Mains

Questions on Indian Polity & Governance come up regularly in GS papers. Practice writing an answer — and see exactly what earns marks.

Editorial & Review Process

Every current affairs analysis and practice question on UPSC Practice is researched using authoritative primary sources and reviewed for factual accuracy and syllabus relevance. Read our Editorial Policy.

Verified Quality