PM-SHRI School Expansion: How NEP 2020 is being implemented
June 30, 20262 min read
PM Schools for Rising India was launched in September 2022 to upgrade 14,500 existing schools into NEP model schools. Each school receives approximately ₹2 crore over five years. In June 2026, the scheme was expanded to cover 22,000 schools, with priority to aspirational districts and border areas.
What the expansion delivered
| Component | Status |
|---|---|
| Additional schools | 7,500 new schools sanctioned, total now 22,000 |
| NEP curriculum transition | All PM-SHRI schools now follow the 5+3+3+4 structure. Old 10+2 replaced |
| Language policy | Mother tongue or local language instruction up to Grade 5, preferably up to Grade 8 |
| Digital infrastructure | All 22,000 schools connected to optical fibre under BharatNet. Each has a smart classroom and computer lab |
| Assessment reform | PARAKH framework pilot in 2027, national rollout in 2028 |
NEP 2020 provisions tested in UPSC
| Provision | What You Must Know |
|---|---|
| 5+3+3+4 structure | Foundational (3-8 years), Preparatory (8-11), Middle (11-14), Secondary (14-18) |
| Three-language formula | Mother tongue/regional language up to Grade 5. No language imposed. States have flexibility |
| PARAKH | Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development. A national assessment centre |
| GER target | 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio by 2030 for school education |
Prelims trap
"PM-SHRI builds new schools." False. It upgrades existing schools into model schools. It does not construct new ones.
Part of: Government Schemes: April to June 2026
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Source: Ministry of Education, June 15, 2026; NEP 2020 document.