Lok Sabha Question No. 2597 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Central Assistance under Samagra Shiksha Scheme in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2597 ANSWERED ON 09/03/2026

## Central Assistance under Samagra Shiksha Scheme in Tamil Nadu

2597. Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  central  assistance  under  the  Samagra Shiksha Scheme to Tamil Nadu remains pending for 2024-25 and if so, the details of funds sanctioned, released and pending during the last three years, year-wise;

(b) whether it is a fact that approximately Rs. 3,548 crore remains pending to Tamil Nadu, including about Rs. 2,152 crore relating to the 2024-25 share and if so, the reasons therefor;

(c)  whether any conditions relating to adoption of National Education Policy (NEP) components  or  PM  SHRI  scheme  participation  have  been  linked  to  fund  release under Samagra Shiksha and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  release  the  pending  funds  to  ensure continuity  of  school  education  support  for  students  and  teachers  in  the  said  State and if so, the timeline fixed for the same?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): The  subject  'Education'  is  in  List-III  (Concurrent  List)  of  the  Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.  National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) is the first education policy of the 21 st century and envisions a massive transformation in the education system. The Ministry of Education, Government of India  is  committed  to  ensuring  that  every  child,  in  every  corner  of  the  country  has access  to  the  transformative  benefits  of  NEP,  2020.  Samagra  Shiksha  was revamped in 2021 to align with the provisions of NEP, 2020. Thus, implementation of Samagra  Shiksha  is  implementation  of  NEP  2020.  Similarly,  PM  SHRI  Scheme, launched in September 2022, aims to showcase all the components of NEP 2020 by developing selected schools as exemplar schools and to provide leadership to other schools in the neighbourhood. However, the State of Tamil Nadu has not signed the MoU for  PM-SHRI.  While  most  of  the  States  are  implementing  NEP,  2020,  Tamil Nadu is not implementing it in its entirety.

Under  the Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  Samagra  Shiksha,  funds  are allocated to States and Union Territories, including the State of Tamil Nadu, based on  the  approval  of  the  respective  Annual  Work  Plan  &  Budget  (AWP&B)  by  the Project Approval Board (PAB), and in accordance with the prescribed fund-sharing pattern, guidelines, and availability of funds. The release of Central share depends on  the  submission  of  the  utilisation  certificates,  audit  reports  in  respect  of  funds released  earlier,  physical  and  financial  progress  reports,  State  contributions  and compliance with the scheme norms. Though implementation of Samagra Shiksha is implementation of NEP, 2020 and the Government of Tamil Nadu has not agreed to implement NEP, 2020 in its entirety, keeping in view the larger perspective as well as educational needs of the children of Tamil Nadu, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL)  decided  to release admissible Central share of the 'RTE Entitlements'  component  of  Samagra  Shiksha.  Accordingly,  Central  share  of  Rs. 538.39 crore, comprising Rs.362.81 Crore for FY 2024-25 and Rs.175.58 Crore as 1 st and 2 nd instalments for FY 2025- 26, has since been released to the Government of Tamil Nadu under the 'RTE Entitlements' component and the remaining amount admissible for FY 2025-26 under this component will be released subject to fulfilment of standard terms and conditions.

Details of funds allocated and released to State Government of Tamil Nadu under Samagra Shiksha, during the last three financial years, are as under:-

## (In Crore Rupees)

175.58 (As on 05.03.2026)

| Financial Year   |   Funds Allocated (Central Share) | Funds Released (Central Share)   |
|------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2023-24          |                           2120.25 | 1871.96                          |
| 2024-25          |                           2151.59 | 362.81*                          |
| 2025-26          |                           1896.42 | 175.58 (As on 05.03.2026)        |

****