Education Schemes and Initiatives in India

PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman)

Formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, PM POSHAN is a centrally sponsored scheme governed under the National Food Security Act, 2013. It covers children in Balvatika (pre-class I) and Classes I–VIII of government and government-aided schools. In 2022–23, the programme benefitted over 12 crore children across 10.84 lakh schools.

• The scheme addresses hunger and promotes education by enhancing nutritional standards, improving attendance, and supporting concentration in classroom activities. Nutritional support is also extended during summer vacations in drought-affected regions.
• To strengthen transparency, an Automated Monitoring System has been deployed, enabling real-time data collection from schools through IVRS, SMS, mobile apps, and web applications. This reduces administrative burden while allowing timely corrective measures.
• The Mid-Day Meal Rules, 2015, framed under the NFSA, introduced safeguards such as mandatory testing of food samples, greater supervisory role of school management committees, food grains at NFSA rates (₹3/kg for rice and ₹2/kg for wheat), and food security allowances if meals cannot be provided on a given day.

ULLAS: Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram

• The Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) programme reflects the spirit of NEP 2020 by targeting adults aged 15 years and above who missed formal schooling. Launched in 2023 with a budget of ₹1,037.90 crore for 2022–27, the scheme integrates foundational literacy, basic education, critical life skills, vocational training, and continuing education.
• Implementation relies on volunteerism, drawing upon school and college students, teacher education institutions, and educated community members. Learning is delivered in hybrid modes through Samajik Chetna Kendras established in government schools. Academic support is provided by the National Centre for Literacy (NCERT). The scheme’s slogan “Jan Jan Saakshar” embodies the goal of universal literacy.

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)

• Launched in 2008, this central sector scheme provides scholarships to meritorious but economically weaker students to prevent dropouts after Class VIII. Each year, 1 lakh fresh scholarships of ₹12,000 annually are awarded and continued up to Class XII.
• Eligibility requires parental income below ₹3.5 lakh per annum and a minimum of 55% in Class VII (with 5% relaxation for SC/ST). Selection is conducted through state-level tests. Students from residential schools such as KVS and NVS are not eligible. The scheme has been approved up to 2025–26.

Autonomous Organisations in School Education

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

CBSE, under the Ministry of Education, caters to both Indian students and the diaspora. With 28,800 affiliated schools and 2.64 crore students, CBSE conducts Class X and XII examinations and various eligibility tests such as CTET. It implements competency-based assessments under NEP 2020, and runs the SAFAL programme for evaluating learning outcomes at Classes III, V, and VIII. It also functions as the standards-setting authority for central schools like KVs and NVS.

National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)

• Originally set up under CBSE in 1979 and made autonomous in 1989, NIOS is the largest open schooling system. It provides courses up to pre-degree level via distance and open learning, including the Open Basic Education programme for children and adults.
• It has introduced MOOCs through SWAYAM, the DEEP digital library, and courses on Vedic education and Indian Knowledge Traditions. Other initiatives include the Virtual School, the Gender Green Teacher programme, and the Indian Diaspora Studies Centre. Its Inclusive Education Policy 2022 commits to supporting all learners regardless of ability.

Higher and Technical Education

Growth of Higher Education

• At independence, India had only 20 universities and 500 colleges. By 2020–21, these grew to 1,113 universities and 43,796 colleges, with student enrolment at 4.11 crore. The number of degree-awarding institutions rose more than fivefold, while colleges increased nearly 88 times.

National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

• Launched in 2015, NIRF provides transparent rankings of institutions across categories including overall, universities, colleges, and disciplines such as engineering, management, law, medicine, and agriculture. In 2023, agriculture and allied sectors were added as a category.

Institutions of Eminence

• Started in 2017, the World Class Institutions scheme designates select public and private institutions as Institutions of Eminence (IoEs). These enjoy academic and financial autonomy, with the aim of achieving global rankings within the top 500 and eventually the top 100. As of 2022–23, 12 institutions have been recognised as IoEs.

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

• Launched in 2014, this programme connects higher education institutions with rural communities, focusing on local development, innovative technologies, and cultural knowledge. The scheme has been extended till 2026.

Digital Initiatives

• The National Digital Library of India acts as a central knowledge repository. The SWAYAM platform provides free online courses with interactive learning modules. The National Knowledge Network (NKN) connects institutions digitally and is part of NMEICT.

Scholarships and Support Programmes

• Pragati Scholarship: For women in technical education, promoting empowerment through education.
• SAKSHAM Scholarship: For differently-abled students pursuing technical courses, offering tuition and incidental support.
• Ishan Uday: Provides scholarships to students of the North-East region from low-income families.
• Ishan Vikas: Offers academic exposure for North-Eastern students through visits to IITs, NITs, and IISERs.
• Swami Vivekananda Scholarship for Single Girl Child: Encourages research in social sciences among girls.
• PM-USP (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan): Provides scholarships for meritorious college students, special support for J&K and Ladakh, and interest subsidies on education loans.
• National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS): Trains nearly 9 lakh apprentices between 2021–26 with stipendiary support of ₹3,054 crore.
• Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF): Attracts top researchers with fellowships to improve research outcomes.

Vocational and Skills-Based Education

• The Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc.) programme was launched by UGC to allow multiple entry and exit options under the NSQF framework, enhancing employability. The SAMVAY framework enables mobility between vocational and academic pathways.
• The Yukti initiative supports innovation in traditional crafts and design, while programmes like skill assessment matrices strengthen employability.

Cultural and Integrative Programmes

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)

Launched to foster unity in diversity, EBSB pairs states and promotes cultural exchange across art, literature, cuisine, festivals, and indigenous sports. More than 5 crore people have participated in EBSB activities. Initiatives include Kashi Tamil Sangamam, Yuva Sangam, and the Bhasha Sangam app for language learning.