The central government released only 87.79 crore, 4% of the 1896.42 crore allocated for Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for the 2025-26 academic year. This limited fund release comes as Tamil Nadu continues to refuse implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the PM SHRI scheme, according to data from the education ministry.
Tamil Nadu’s schools face ongoing challenges, including shortages of staff, infrastructure, and basic learning materials. The state utilized 748.78 crore in combined central and state SSA funds for 2025-26.
Despite the low fund release, the education ministry approved 2,683 smart classrooms and 2,166 ICT labs for Tamil Nadu government schools. These approvals aim to expand the state’s digital infrastructure in education.
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan Overview
The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is a comprehensive program by the central government. It aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education. The scheme covers students from pre-primary to senior secondary levels, integrating the earlier Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE) schemes.
SSA funds are typically shared between the central and state governments. The central share supports various initiatives, including infrastructure development, teacher salaries, and digital learning tools. The state’s contribution matches a percentage of the central allocation, ensuring joint responsibility for educational development.
Tamil Nadu’s Stance on National Education Policy and PM SHRI
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a comprehensive reform document. It outlines new frameworks for curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and governance across all levels of education in India. Its implementation seeks to modernize and streamline the national education system.
The PM SHRI scheme (PM Schools for Rising India) aims to upgrade existing schools nationwide. These schools are intended to become model institutions, showcasing the full implementation of NEP 2020. They focus on quality education, experiential learning, and futuristic infrastructure.
Tamil Nadu has maintained its refusal to adopt both NEP 2020 and the PM SHRI scheme. This position directly impacts the release of central funds tied to these national initiatives. The state’s decision creates a unique challenge for its education sector regarding central government support and modern educational reforms.
National Context: PM SHRI Schools
Across India, 13,076 PM SHRI schools have been established. These schools operate in various states and union territories. Uttar Pradesh leads the implementation, with 1,725 PM SHRI schools selected. Andhra Pradesh follows with 935 selected schools. These figures, shared by the Department of School Education and Literacy in the Lok Sabha, highlight the varying adoption rates of the scheme nationwide. Tamil Nadu is not among the states implementing PM SHRI schools.
Historical Funding Trends for Tamil Nadu SSA
The funding patterns for Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan reveal a fluctuating trend in central fund releases. The following table details the allocated, released, and utilized funds over the last three academic years:
| Year | Funds Allocated (Central Share) | Funds Released (Central Share) | Funds Utilized (Central + State Share) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 2120.25 crore | 1871.96 crore | 2955.18 crore |
| 2024-25 | 2151.59 crore | 362.81 crore* | 1043.65 crore |
| 2025-26 | 1896.42 crore | 87.79 crore | 748.78 crore |
*The original data indicates that the 2024-25 funds released figure may be provisional or partial. The significant drop in funds released for 2025-26 further underscores the impact of the policy disagreement.
This decline in central funding presents a significant challenge for Tamil Nadu’s education system. The state must now navigate improving school infrastructure and resources with substantially reduced central support, potentially affecting educational outcomes for students.