Every school, a model school: PM SHRI's push for future-ready education

India's school education system is undergoing a gradual shift from an infrastructure-focused approach towards one centred on quality, inclusion, experiential learning and future-ready skills. The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) Scheme is at the heart of this transformation, aiming to turn more than 14,500 existing schools into exemplar institutions aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. With a total project cost of ₹27,360 crore, the initiative is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. As of July 2026, 13,092 schools have been selected across 36 States and Union Territories, covering about 90 per cent of the target. The network spans 725 districts and 8,340 blocks/urban local bodies and is expected to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students. Schools under the PM SHRI Scheme are expected to become models for neighbouring institutions, sharing innovative practices through mentoring, handholding, collaboration and clustering. The initiative seeks to create safe, welcoming and stimulating learning environments while promoting competency-based education, technology integration, sustainable practices and holistic student development. The scheme is structured around six broad pillars derived from NEP 2020, including inclusive learning, mentorship, green schools, experiential learning, improved learning outcomes and quality infrastructure, supported by the School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF). Infrastructure is assessed for availability, adequacy, functionality, aesthetics and safety. Schools are expected to promote 21st-century skills and establish links with local entrepreneurial ecosystems. The emphasis on making learning more relevant to children's lives is a major feature of PM SHRI, with schools following the CBSE or relevant State/UT curriculum while adopting the 5+3+3+4 curricular and pedagogical structure prescribed under NEP 2020. Experiential learning is encouraged through bagless days, internships with local artisans, exposure to local arts and crafts, cultural activities and the preservation of indigenous knowledge. The approach extends beyond academics, with sports, arts, life skills and socio-emotional development integrated into school life to help students build creativity, leadership, resilience and adaptability. Equity and inclusion are central to the PM SHRI model, particularly for children from rural and underserved communities. Schools are encouraged to use the mother tongue, local or regional language, especially during the early years of education. The UDISE+ 2025–26 data records 6,102 Sanskrit teachers, 1,994 Urdu teachers and 9,152 regional language teachers in PM SHRI schools. Technology-enabled learning is another important component, with PM SHRI schools being equipped with ICT facilities, smart classrooms, internet connectivity, digital learning platforms and STEM-based programmes to make education more interactive and learner-centred.