New Delhi, Sep 15: More than 13,000 schools across India have been selected for transformation under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) Scheme, with the initiative expected to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students through improved infrastructure, learning facilities and educational practices, according to government data.

Launched on September 7, 2022, the PM SHRI Scheme aims to develop more than 14,500 existing schools as exemplar institutions aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The scheme is being implemented over five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 with a total project outlay of Rs 27,360 crore, including a Central share of Rs 18,128 crore.

As of July 2026, a total of 13,092 schools have been selected as PM SHRI Schools across States and Union Territories, accounting for around 90 per cent of the scheme’s overall target.

The selected institutions include schools under the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

The initiative focuses on strengthening school infrastructure, improving teaching and learning practices, promoting inclusion and sustainability, and equipping students with skills relevant to the demands of the 21st century.

The PM SHRI schools are being developed as model institutions that demonstrate the effective implementation of NEP 2020. These schools are expected to adopt modern pedagogical approaches and provide inclusive, safe and supportive environments that encourage the holistic development of students.

The scheme also seeks to provide students with access to quality infrastructure, appropriate learning resources and diverse educational experiences. By developing existing schools as exemplar institutions, the programme aims to create models that can be replicated across the wider school education system.

According to government officials, India’s school education system is undergoing a significant transformation, with increasing emphasis on quality, equity, inclusion and future-ready learning. The country currently has around 14.71 lakh schools serving more than 24.69 crore students.

The scale of investment under the PM SHRI initiative has also expanded in recent years. The Central share of the approved Project Approval Board (PAB) outlay increased from Rs 2,520 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 5,224 crore in 2026-27.

This represents an increase of around 107 per cent and highlights the growing focus on strengthening school infrastructure and improving learning environments under the scheme.

With more than 13,000 schools already selected, the PM SHRI initiative is expected to play a significant role in advancing the government’s efforts to create modern, inclusive and future-ready school education institutions aligned with the objectives of NEP 2020.