Context:
• Kerala has halted implementation of the PM-SHRI school scheme amid internal disagreements within the LDF government, and tensions with the Centre over NEP-2020 compliance and withheld Samagra Shiksha funds.
• The issue has sparked a broader debate on cooperative federalism, state autonomy, and conditional central funding.
Key Highlights
- PM-SHRI Scheme Background
- Kerala initially agreed to join the PM SHRI scheme, intended to upgrade 14,500 schools nationwide as NEP-2020 model institutions.
• Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have historically opposed NEP-2020, citing centralisation and ideological bias.
- Halt After LDF Internal Strife
- Implementation paused due to lack of full Cabinet approval within the Kerala LDF government.
• CPI and CPI(M) differ on whether PM SHRI implies forced NEP compliance.
- Allegation of Fiscal Pressure
- Centre accused of withholding Samagra Shiksha (SS) funds to push NEP adoption.
• Led to salary arrears for teachers and financial strain in Kerala’s school system.
Significance
- Why Kerala Resists NEP-2020 Provisions
- Kerala’s education parameters—enrolment, retention, learning outcomes—already exceed national standards.
• NEP-2020 targets seen as redundant for the state.
• PM SHRI may require adoption of:
– Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)
– Revised curricula
– New pedagogical norms
• Some policymakers view IKS integration as non-scientific or ideologically driven.
- Fiscal Federalism Issue: Withholding of Funds
- SS scheme—Kerala’s main source of federal education funding—was reportedly withheld.
• This prompted Kerala to initially join PM SHRI to unlock funds.
- Political Positioning Within LDF
- CPI(M) first justified signing the scheme to restore funds.
• Growing concerns about forced NEP alignment triggered a pause.
- Legal & Constitutional Dimensions
- Article criticises use of fund withholding as coercive federalism.
• Suggests Kerala should consider litigation, following Tamil Nadu’s approach, to secure constitutionally due funds.
• Courts are urged to uphold cooperative federalism, restrain executive overreach, and ensure schemes do not bypass state autonomy.
Prelims-Oriented Points (Most Important)
- PM SHRI
Mains-Oriented Analysis
GS-2: Polity & Governance | Federalism
- Centre–State Tussle Over Education Policy
• Education is in the Concurrent List → both Centre & States legislate.
• PM SHRI implementation raises questions of:
– Administrative control
– Curriculum autonomy
– Fiscal dependency on central schemes - Fiscal Federalism Concerns
• Withholding SS funds to push NEP compliance blurs lines between:
– Incentive
– Coercion
• Impacts the ability of states to run essential public services like schooling. - Federal Balance & State Autonomy
• Kerala argues PM SHRI may dilute its distinct educational strengths.
• Imposition of centrally designed curricula undermines pluralism in education models. - Judicial Role in Cooperative Federalism
• Courts increasingly expected to check:
– Arbitrary fund withholding
– Excessive centralisation
– Violations of equitable federal principles
• Ensuring fiscal fairness is key to sustaining trust in Centre–State relations. - Broader Implications
• Raises debate on how centrally-sponsored schemes affect state policy independence.
• Highlights need for transparent fund-release mechanisms not linked to ideological alignment.