How the Central Government is Undermining Education in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and AAP’s Delhi Through PM SHRI Scheme

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Research by Aero Nutist|May23,2025

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Education is the backbone of any society, and states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been shining examples of what a robust education system can achieve. For decades, these states have led India in literacy rates and school enrollment, setting benchmarks for others to follow. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi made remarkable strides in transforming the capital’s education landscape. However, a disturbing trend has emerged: the Central Government, led by the BJP, is withholding crucial education funds from these states under the guise of the PM SHRI scheme, allegedly to push its own agenda. This blog explores how Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and AAP’s Delhi are being unfairly targeted, and why this move threatens India’s education system.

Tamil Nadu: A Legacy of Educational Excellence Under Threat

Tamil Nadu has long been a pioneer in education, achieving full enrollment and regular attendance even before the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was launched nationwide. The state introduced the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, a model now adopted across India, ensuring children stay in school. With a literacy rate of 80.33% as per the 2011 census (Know India), Tamil Nadu has consistently outperformed many states. However, the Central Government has withheld over ₹2,151 crore in education funds for 2024–2025 under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, as reported by Law Trend.

Why? Because Tamil Nadu refused to adopt the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its three-language policy, which the state sees as an imposition of Hindi. Tamil Nadu’s Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, called this “open blackmail,” accusing the Centre of linking funds to the PM SHRI scheme (India Today). The state has now taken the matter to the Supreme Court, fighting for its right to manage education independently. This move by the Centre not only threatens Tamil Nadu’s stellar education system but also undermines the federal structure of India.

Kerala: The Gold Standard of Education Faces Central Overreach

Kerala, with a literacy rate of 96.2% in 2024 (News18 Hindi), has been India’s education leader for over 30 years. The state achieved universal school enrollment long before other states even began thinking about it. Yet, the Central Government has withheld a staggering ₹15,000.27 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, as highlighted by The Mooknayak. The reason? Kerala refused to implement the PM SHRI scheme, citing violations of the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009 and concerns over NEP 2020’s curriculum changes, such as the removal of Mughal history and Darwin’s theory.

Kerala argues that the PM SHRI scheme is a one-size-fits-all model that doesn’t suit its already advanced education system. The state estimates a loss of ₹1,500 crore due to this fund cut and has planned legal action, with no MoU signed by May 2025. This blatant overreach by the Centre is an attack on Kerala’s autonomy and its right to maintain a system that has worked wonders for decades.

AAP’s Delhi: A Beacon of Hope Dimmed by Central Interference

In Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) revolutionized education during its tenure, making government schools a viable alternative to private ones. AAP allocated 20-25% of its budget to education, building over 22,000 classrooms and adding 75 new schools, as per EduDel. Over 1,000 teachers were sent for training to prestigious institutions like Oxford and Cambridge, and board exam results soared, with a 97% pass rate in Class 10 in 2022, surpassing CBSE’s 94.40% (BBC Hindi).

Innovations like the happiness curriculum and arts programs brought holistic development to students. However, AAP faced challenges, including a 33% absenteeism rate and increased Class 9 and 11 failures, as noted in the UDISE report. Despite these hurdles, AAP’s efforts were commendable. Yet, the Central Government initially withheld funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, pressuring Delhi to adopt the PM SHRI scheme. Delhi eventually signed the MoU in October 2024 (Drishti IAS), but this compliance came at the cost of autonomy, reflecting the Centre’s coercive tactics.

The PM SHRI Scheme: A Tool for Central Control?

The PM SHRI scheme, launched in 2022, aims to upgrade 14,500 schools across India, as outlined by the Ministry of Education. While the intent may seem noble, the implementation has been controversial. States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala see it as a means for the Centre to impose its agenda, including displaying PM Modi’s photos in schools—a demand many states find unnecessary and politically motivated. An X post by shail2018 echoes this sentiment, arguing that the Centre is punishing states for not complying with its demands.

The scheme’s linkage to NEP 2020, which includes the contentious three-language policy, has further fueled resistance. States with strong education systems, like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, argue they don’t need a centralized model that disrupts their proven methods. The Centre’s withholding of funds—₹15,000 crore for Kerala and ₹2,151 crore for Tamil Nadu—only strengthens their resolve to fight back through legal channels.

The Broader Impact: A Threat to India’s Education System

The Central Government’s actions have far-reaching consequences. By withholding funds, it jeopardizes the education of millions of children in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, states that have historically set the standard for others. In Delhi, the pressure to adopt PM SHRI undermines AAP’s innovative model, which had begun to bridge the gap between government and private schools. Meanwhile, states like Bihar (literacy rate 63.82%) and Uttar Pradesh (69.72%), as per Know India, continue to lag behind, with little focus on addressing their systemic issues.

This disparity highlights a critical question: Why target states that are already excelling in education while ignoring those that need the most help? The answer may lie in politics. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and AAP-ruled Delhi (until early 2025) are governed by opposition parties, making them easy targets for the BJP-led Centre. This move not only threatens state autonomy but also risks derailing India’s progress toward universal education.

Conclusion: Standing Up for Educational Autonomy

Tamil Nadu and Kerala have shown that a state-led education system can achieve remarkable results, with literacy rates and enrollment figures that are the envy of the nation. AAP’s Delhi, despite its challenges, demonstrated what political will and innovation can do for government schools. Yet, the Central Government’s fund withholding through the PM SHRI scheme is a direct attack on these successes. It’s time for the Centre to respect state autonomy and release the funds that rightfully belong to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and other states. Education is a fundamental right, not a political bargaining chip. Let’s stand with these states in their fight for a better future for India’s children.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Share your views in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this blog to raise awareness about the fight for educational autonomy in India!