Overview
The Union Ministry of Education informed the Supreme Court that ₹99.27 crore under the Samagra Shiksha was released to Kerala for Right‑to‑Education (RTE) entitlements in FY 2025‑26, even though the state has not implemented the NEP 2020.
Key Developments
- Centre released ₹99.27 crore specifically for RTE entitlements despite Kerala’s non‑implementation of NEP 2020.
- Kerala argues that regularising Special Educators would cost an additional ₹358 crore annually.
- The Ministry clarified that under RTE Act, the State is the “appropriate government” and must fund implementation, with central assistance being merely supplementary.
- Kerala signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the PM SHRI scheme on 23 Oct 2025, but postponed selection and later kept the process in abeyance, indicating reluctance to adopt NEP provisions.
- Funding pattern of Samagra Shiksha remains 60:40 (Centre:State). Releases are contingent on approved work‑plans, utilisation of earlier instalments, and compliance with scheme norms.
Important Facts
- FY 2020‑21: Approved ₹252.22 crore, released ₹238.39 crore, utilisation ₹416.69 crore.
- FY 2021‑22: Approved ₹252.22 crore, released ₹225.13 crore, utilisation ₹390.54 crore.
- FY 2022‑23: Approved ₹348.47 crore, released ₹178.16 crore, utilisation ₹381.25 crore.
- FY 2023‑24: Approved ₹328.83 crore, released ₹141.66 crore, utilisation ₹431.15 crore.
- FY 2024‑25: Approved ₹420.91 crore, no central share released due to missing documents; utilisation ₹254.54 crore.
- FY 2025‑26: Approved ₹452.05 crore, ₹99.27 crore released for RTE, utilisation certificates pending.
UPSC Relevance
The case illustrates the interplay between Central Sponsored Schemes and state responsibilities under constitutional education mandates. Aspirants should note:
- Education is a concurrent subject; both Centre and State can legislate, but implementation duties often rest with the State.
- The RTE Act creates a non‑delegable duty for states, reinforcing the principle of “appropriate government”.
- NEP 2020’s flexibility allows states to tailor models, yet central schemes like Samagra Shiksha tie funding to compliance, testing federal‑state coordination.
Way Forward
For Kerala to meet its statutory obligations, it must:
- Submit required documentation to unlock pending central shares under Samagra Shiksha.
- Formulate and implement a concrete work‑plan for regularising Special Educators, budgeting the estimated ₹358 crore annually.
- Activate the PM SHRI process to showcase compliance with NEP provisions, thereby unlocking additional central assistance.
- Ensure systematic utilisation of released funds, adhering to the 60:40 sharing formula and scheme conditions, to avoid future funding gaps.
These steps will align Kerala’s education system with constitutional mandates, NEP objectives, and the financial architecture of the Samagra Shiksha framework.