Ministry Of Education; Department Of School Education & Literacy

Policy Update
Shivashish Narayan

India has recognized education as a cornerstone for socio-economic development, leading to the enactment of landmark legislation in 2010 that made free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14. This initiative reflects the country’s commitment to nurturing its most valuable resource—its people. Established on September 26, 1985, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now the Ministry of Education) oversees this mission through two key departments: School Education & Literacy and Higher Education. The Ministry formulates the National Policy on Education to ensure equitable access, improve quality, and promote inclusivity, particularly for disadvantaged groups through scholarships and loan subsidies.

Department of School Education & Literacy

The Department of School Education & Literacy, under the Ministry of Education, plays a vital role in shaping India’s educational framework by ensuring universal access to quality school education. Aligned with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, it empowers children aged 6 to 14 with basic education essential for personal and socio-economic development. The department promotes the “universalization of education,” focusing on retention and successful learning outcomes through initiatives like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, which targets marginalized communities. Committed to improving education quality, it emphasizes teacher training and digital learning, aiming to create informed citizens who can contribute meaningfully to society.

Schemes

1. Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-Poshan)

Launched in September 2021, the PM POSHAN Scheme reinforces the government’s commitment to providing nutritious hot meals to schoolchildren in India, building on the Mid-Day Meal Scheme from 1995. Aimed at improving nutrition, school attendance and social equality among economically disadvantaged students, the scheme features a robust monitoring system and community involvement. It has successfully increased enrollment and nutritional standards, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Food Security Allowance was introduced to address nutritional needs. With a budget of ₹10,233.75 crore for 2022-23, the scheme is set to benefit over 10 crore children.

2. Samagra Shiksha

The Union Budget for 2018-19 introduced the Samagra Shiksha scheme, a holistic approach to school education from pre-nursery to Class 12, integrating previous programs like SSA and RMSA. Aiming for equitable learning outcomes, the initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4, ensuring all children receive free, quality education by 2030. Key objectives include bridging social and gender gaps, promoting vocational education, and reinforcing the Right to Education Act. Operating as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with shared funding, Samagra Shiksha focuses on universal access, quality education, and teacher training, with new initiatives like a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.

3. Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme (DHRUV)

The Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme, known as DHRUV, was launched by the Ministry of Education to nurture exceptionally talented students in India. Aimed at enhancing skills in science and performing arts, the program provides expert guidance and mentorship. Named after “Dhruv Tara,” symbolizing guidance, DHRUV begins with a 14-day residential program for around 60 students from classes 9 to 12, focusing on global issues like climate change and thematic performances. Launched on October 10, 2019, at ISRO in Bengaluru, the initiative culminated in a presentation attended by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, empowering youth to tackle national and global challenges.

4. Padhna Likhna Abhiyan

The Padhna Likhna Abhiyan is a recent initiative by the Government of India aimed at eradicating illiteracy, launched by the Department of School Education & Literacy. Focusing on basic literacy, the program plans to expand into vocational education and skill development, targeting individuals aged 15 and above who missed formal education. It aims to impart functional literacy to 55 lakh adults during the 2020-21 financial year, with special emphasis on disadvantaged groups like women and Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The initiative employs a flexible approach with community involvement, aiming for total literacy by 2030 in alignment with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

5. Accelerating State Education Program to Improve Results (ASPIRE)

On December 2, 2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $500 million results-based loan for India’s Accelerating State Education Program to Improve Results (ASPIRE). This initiative aimed to enhance education quality in five states: Assam, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand, aligning with central programs like Samagra Shiksha and the National Education Policy 2020. ASPIRE focused on improving foundational learning and reducing dropout rates by transforming government schools into exemplar institutions and enhancing student-centered learning. However, delays in loan signing and the subsequent funding of the PM Shri School program led to the lapse of ADB’s loan approval in December 2022. ADB remains committed to collaborating with India’s education sector

6. PM Shri

Approved by the Cabinet on September 7, 2022, the PM SHRI scheme is a centrally sponsored initiative to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It aims to transform over 14,500 existing schools into exemplary institutions that provide leadership and establish standards for high-quality, equitable, and inclusive education. The scheme promotes a joyful learning environment that accommodates diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs, and varying academic abilities, encouraging active student participation. Running from 2022-23 to 2026-27, the initiative has a total project cost of Rs 27,360 crore, with Rs 18,128 crore funded by the central government, benefiting over 20 lakh students.

7. Strengthening Teaching Learning And Result For States (STARS)

The Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Project, approved in October 2020, began implementation on February 23, 2021, with a five-year duration until FY 2024-25. Active in six states—Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala—the project focuses on key components of the Samagra Shiksha initiative, with a total cost of Rs 5,718 crore, primarily funded by a World Bank loan of about Rs 3,700 crore. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, STARS aims to enhance early childhood education, teacher development, and vocational education while establishing the National Assessment Centre, PARAKH, to monitor learning outcomes.

8. Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh

The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the “Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh,” a non-lapsable fund dedicated to elementary education. This fund will receive proceeds from the Education Cess introduced in 2004 and unspent balances for elementary education from North-Eastern states. Aimed at providing sustained financial support, it will benefit programs like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the midday meal scheme. Managed by the Ministry of Education, the fund ensures resources remain available for future years. The 2% Education Cess aims to reinforce the government’s commitment to universal quality basic education, with an additional Rs 3,106 crore allocated for the upcoming year.

9. Madhyamik and Uchhatar Shiksha Kosh

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the establishment of the “Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh” (MUSK), a non-lapsable fund for secondary and higher education. This fund will receive proceeds from the “Secondary and Higher Education Cess” and aims to finance various educational schemes nationwide. Administered by the Ministry of Education, MUSK will initially utilize Gross Budgetary support (GBS) and subsequently address further funding needs once GBS is exhausted. MUSK is designed to enhance access to secondary and higher education, supporting key programs like Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Uchchtar Shiksha Abhiyan, reflecting the government’s commitment to quality education.

10. Scholarship Scheme: National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)

Launched in 2008, the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) aims to provide scholarships to meritorious students from economically weaker sections, thereby reducing dropout rates at Class VIII and promoting secondary education. The scheme awards 100,000 scholarships annually to selected students entering Class IX, which can continue through Classes X to XII for those in state government, government-aided, or local body schools. The scholarship amount was increased to ₹12,000 per annum as of April 1, 2017. The scheme continues until FY 2025-26 with an allocation of ₹1,827 crores, ensuring equitable educational opportunities through the National Scholarship Portal and Direct Benefit Transfer.

11. National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA)

NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement) is a significant capacity-building program launched on August 21, 2019, by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to enhance the quality of school education school education quality through integrated teacher training. Targeting teachers and principals for Classes I toVIII, it covers learning outcomes, school-based assessments, and learner-centered pedagogy. By utilizing a web portal and mobile app, NISHTHA has trained over 2 million educators, including an online version on the DIKSHA platform during the pandemic. The initiative has since expanded to NISHTHA 2.0 for secondary teachers and NISHTHA 3.0 and 4.0 for foundational literacy and early childhood education, respectively.

12. National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021

The National Achievement Survey (NAS) is a vital national assessment evaluating student learning in Classes 3, 5, 8, and 10 across various school types, including state and central government schools. Rather than individual scores, NAS provides a system-level analysis of the effectiveness of school education in India., identifying areas for improvement. Unique for its inclusion of background variables that link student performance to contextual factors, NAS is essential for policymakers. The 2021 survey included 3.4 million students from approximately 118,000 schools, with assessments emphasizing competency-based evaluations in subjects like language, mathematics, science and social science, aiming to enhance educational outcomes nationwide.

13. Swachh Vidyalaya initiative

The Swachh Vidyalaya Initiative (SVI), launched by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2014, aims to ensure that all schools in India have functional toilets, particularly separate facilities for girls, within a year. Collaborating with various stakeholders, the Ministry of Education constructed and reconstructed 417, 796 toilets across 261,400 government schools by August 15, 2015. To promote water, sanitation, and hygiene excellence, the Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar was introduced in the 2016- 2017 academic year, alongside an annual grant for hygiene-related activities. By 2022-23, ₹207 crores had been allocated for this purpose, with initiatives like Swachhata Pakhwada engaging millions of students in cleanliness activities.

14. Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA)

The Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA), launched by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on July 9, 2015, aims to enhance mathematics and science education for children aged 6 to 18. It promotes engagement through systemic improvements and alternative strategies, such as mentoring by higher education institutions, forming Maths and Science clubs, and professional development opportunities for teachers. In 2019- 20, ₹27, 737.03 lakh was allocated under the Samagra Shiksha initiative for RAA activities, including teacher training, educational kits, and science fairs, linking theory to real-world applications. RAA seeks to instill inquiry, creativity, and enthusiasm, aligning with the National Education Policy to cultivate a scientific temper and inclusivity in education.

15. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)

The “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” (EBSB) programme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2015, aims to promote national integration through cultural, linguistic, and people-to-people exchanges between states and union territories. By fostering mutual understanding through various activities—such as festivals, language learning, and culinary experiences—EBSB enhances connections among citizens from diverse backgrounds. The Department of School Education and Literacy organizes school activities under EBSB, pairing states and UTs annually for cultural exchanges. In 2022, over 2.5 crore students and 3.8 lakh EBSB clubs participated in initiatives, strengthening India’s unity in diversity through cultural engagements.

16. New India Literacy Programme (NILP)

The New India Literacy Programme (NILP) also known as Navbharat Saksharta Karyakram, is a centrally sponsored scheme aligned with NEP 2020 and UNESCO SDG 4.6, with a financial outlay of ₹1,037.90 crore. Set to run from 2022-23 to 2026-27, it targets non-literates aged 15 and above, focusing on Foundational Literacy, Critical Life Skills, Vocational Skills, Basic Education, and Continuing Education. The program is driven by volunteers who are utilizing schools as hubs and engaging students, teachers, and community workers. Leveraging ICT and digital tools through the OTLAS mobile app, the initiative tracks progress via an online Management Information System (MIS) across various levels.

17. PM e-VIDYA

The Digital Education Initiatives under PM e-VIDYA aim to enhance access to quality education in line with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020). The program includes six key components, notably the “One Class, One Channel” approach, which provides DTH TV educational content for classes 1 to 12, with plans to expand to 200 channels in multiple languages. DIKSHA serves as a central resource for teachers and students, integrating with PM e-VIDYA, while SWAYAM MOOCs offer massive open online courses. The initiative also uses community radio and podcasts for a broader reach, ensuring inclusivity through customized e-content for children with special needs and online coaching for competitive exams.

18. National Scheme for Incentive to Girl Child for Secondary Education

The National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE), launched in May 2008, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme designed to promote the enrolment and retention of girls aged 14-18, especially from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), in secondary education. It provides financial incentives to girls completing Class VIII, including those from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. A fixed deposit of ₹3,000 is made in the name of each eligible girl, accessible upon turning 18 and completing Class X. The scheme, registered online through the National Scholarship Portal, empowers girls through education and reduces dropout rates, fostering their personal growth.

19. Mid Day Meal Scheme

The Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), launched on August 15, 1995, aims to improve school enrolment, retention, and attendance while enhancing children’s nutritional status. Initially providing free food grains, it evolved into a cooked meal program in 2001, offering at least 300 calories and 8-12 grams of protein per child daily for 200 days a year. By 2002, it included children in the Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) and Alternative & Innovative Education (AIE) centres. In 2021, the scheme was rebranded as PM POSHAN, expanding its reach to 11.80 crore children in 11.20 lakh schools, with a budget exceeding ₹130,000 crores, and promoting community involvement and locally sourced food.

20. New Education Policy

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a transformative framework for India, fostering a knowledge-based, equitable society. It emphasizes Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability in education. In school education, NEP 2020 prioritizes foundational literacy and numeracy, universalizing pre-primary education by 2025 and introduces a 5+3+3+4 structure for ages 3-18. The policy promotes teacher training, technology integration, and vocational education while advocating for a lighter curriculum and discussion-based learning.

In higher education, NEP 2020 encourages a multidisciplinary approach, the establishment of a National Research Foundation, and increased public investment in education to 6% of GDP. Initiatives like PM SHRI and digital platforms like DIKSHA support these objectives, driving educational reform across India.

References

About the Contributor: Shivashish Narayan is an Intern at IMPRI. He is a law graduate from Indore Institute of Law.

Acknowledgement: The author would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Arjun Kumar, Ms Aasthaba Jadeja, Riya Rawat and Mr. Dhruv Tapadia for their invaluable contributions into this article.