Centre Releases ₹99.27 crore Samagra Shiksha Funds to Kerala despite NEP 2020 non‑implementation

<h2>Overview</h2> <p>The Union Ministry of Education informed the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court of India — apex judicial body that adjudicates disputes involving the Union and State governments (GS2: Polity)">Supreme Court</span> that ₹99.27 crore under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Samagra Shiksha Scheme — a centrally sponsored programme aimed at universalizing school education, aligned with the National Education Policy (GS2: Polity)">Samagra Shiksha</span> was released to <strong>Kerala</strong> for Right‑to‑Education (RTE) entitlements in FY 2025‑26, even though the state has not implemented the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Education Policy 2020 — a comprehensive framework that guides school and higher‑education reforms, giving states flexibility in implementation (GS2: Polity)">NEP 2020</span>. </p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Centre released ₹99.27 crore specifically for RTE entitlements despite Kerala’s non‑implementation of NEP 2020.</li> <li>Kerala argues that regularising <span class="key-term" data-definition="Special Educators — teachers appointed for children with special needs; their recruitment and salary are a statutory obligation under the RTE Act (GS2: Polity)">Special Educators</span> would cost an additional ₹358 crore annually.</li> <li>The Ministry clarified that under <span class="key-term" data-definition="Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (RTE Act) — legislation guaranteeing free education for children 6‑14 years and mandating special educators for children with special needs (GS2: Polity)">RTE Act</span>, the State is the “appropriate government” and must fund implementation, with central assistance being merely supplementary.</li> <li>Kerala signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the <span class="key-term" data-definition="PM SHRI Scheme — a flagship initiative under Samagra Shiksha to showcase NEP implementation in selected schools (GS2: Polity)">PM SHRI</span> scheme on 23 Oct 2025, but postponed selection and later kept the process in abeyance, indicating reluctance to adopt NEP provisions.</li> <li>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.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <ul> <li>FY 2020‑21: Approved ₹252.22 crore, released ₹238.39 crore, utilisation ₹416.69 crore.</li> <li>FY 2021‑22: Approved ₹252.22 crore, released ₹225.13 crore, utilisation ₹390.54 crore.</li> <li>FY 2022‑23: Approved ₹348.47 crore, released ₹178.16 crore, utilisation ₹381.25 crore.</li> <li>FY 2023‑24: Approved ₹328.83 crore, released ₹141.66 crore, utilisation ₹431.15 crore.</li> <li>FY 2024‑25: Approved ₹420.91 crore, no central share released due to missing documents; utilisation ₹254.54 crore.</li> <li>FY 2025‑26: Approved ₹452.05 crore, ₹99.27 crore released for RTE, utilisation certificates pending.</li> </ul> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>The case illustrates the interplay between <span class="key-term" data-definition="Central Sponsored Scheme — programmes funded jointly by Centre and State, reflecting cooperative federalism in education financing (GS3: Economy)">Central Sponsored Schemes</span> and state responsibilities under constitutional education mandates. Aspirants should note:</p> <ul> <li>Education is a <strong>concurrent subject</strong>; both Centre and State can legislate, but implementation duties often rest with the State.</li> <li>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="RTE Act — guarantees free and compulsory education and obliges states to appoint special educators for children with special needs (GS2: Polity)">RTE Act</span> creates a non‑delegable duty for states, reinforcing the principle of “appropriate government”.</li> <li>NEP 2020’s flexibility allows states to tailor models, yet central schemes like Samagra Shiksha tie funding to compliance, testing federal‑state coordination.</li> </ul> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>For Kerala to meet its statutory obligations, it must:</p> <ol> <li>Submit required documentation to unlock pending central shares under Samagra Shiksha.</li> <li>Formulate and implement a concrete work‑plan for regularising <span class="key-term" data-definition="Special Educators — teachers for children with special needs; their recruitment is mandated by the RTE Act (GS2: Polity)">Special Educators</span>, budgeting the estimated ₹358 crore annually.</li> <li>Activate the <span class="key-term" data-definition="PM SHRI Scheme — flagship initiative to demonstrate NEP implementation in selected schools (GS2: Polity)">PM SHRI</span> process to showcase compliance with NEP provisions, thereby unlocking additional central assistance.</li> <li>Ensure systematic utilisation of released funds, adhering to the 60:40 sharing formula and scheme conditions, to avoid future funding gaps.</li> </ol> <p>These steps will align Kerala’s education system with constitutional mandates, NEP objectives, and the financial architecture of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Samagra Shiksha Scheme — centrally sponsored programme for universal school education, linked to NEP 2020 (GS2: Polity)">Samagra Shiksha</span> framework.</p>