Overview The Communist Party of India (CPI) Kerala State secretary, Binoy Viswam , has expressed skepticism regarding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s statements about the involvement of Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas in the signing of the PM-SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme by the Kerala government. This controversy highlights potential friction between the Union and State governments regarding the implementation of national education policies. Key Developments Dispute Origin: The disagreement stems from statements made by Dharmendra Pradhan in the Rajya Sabha on December 3, 2025 , concerning Kerala's stance on the PM-SHRI scheme. Pradhan's Claim: Mr. Pradhan asserted that Kerala initially agreed to the scheme but later backtracked due to “internal conflict in the ruling alliance,” also claiming Mr. Brittas mediated between the State and Union governments. Viswam's Rebuttal: Mr. Viswam countered that Mr. Brittas’s discussion with Mr. Pradhan focused on the withholding of Central funds under the Samagra Shiksha project, not the PM-SHRI scheme. Event Context: Mr. Viswam addressed the issue during a ‘meet-the-leader’ event organized by the Calicut Press Club in Kozhikode on December 4, 2025 . CPI Resistance: The State government reportedly put the implementation of the PM-SHRI scheme on hold due to resistance from the CPI . Political Perspectives Mr. Viswam questioned Mr. Pradhan’s credibility, citing his affiliation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) . He stated he trusts Mr. Brittas more, emphasizing that their conversation revolved around the denial of funds under the Samagra Shiksha project. UPSC Relevance This news item is relevant to the UPSC syllabus as it touches upon: GS2: Government Policies and Interventions - The PM-SHRI scheme and Samagra Shiksha project are key government initiatives in the education sector. GS2: Federalism - The disagreement highlights the challenges in implementing central government schemes in states with differing political ideologies. GS1: Post-Independence History - The roles and ideologies of political parties like CPI and CPI(M) are important for understanding Indian politics. Key Terms for UPSC PM-SHRI Scheme: A central government scheme to upgrade schools, showcasing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Samagra Shiksha: An integrated scheme for school education from pre-school to class XII, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. Federalism: The division of powers between the Union and State governments, often leading to conflicts in policy implementation. Potential Exam Questions Prelims: What are the objectives of the PM-SHRI scheme? What is the focus of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan? Mains: Discuss the challenges in implementing national education policies in states with differing political ideologies. Analyze the role of political mediation in the implementation of central government schemes in states.