This PM-SHRI decision in Kerala has suddenly become bigger than just education policy . On June 18, 2026,newly elected United Democratic Front (UDF) government announced that it will continue with PM-SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme,and honestly,political heat started immediately.
Thing is,previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had already signed agreement for scheme on October 16 of previous year . But later they retracted it after internal coalition conflicts. So now UDF is saying situation is not that simple because old decision already created financial and administrative complications.
Chief Minister V.D . Satheesan explained that UDF had no choice but to move ahead because previous government had already accepted funds from Union government . At same time,he said implementation will come with conditions so curriculum framework stays under state’s control .
And this is where debate becomes uncomfortable .
Kerala is also waiting for ₹1,100 crore in funds currently held up by Union government . That is not small amount ah. So UDF is basically saying they need money,but they also want to protect state control over education.
Few things standing out clearly in this issue:
- UDF says prior agreement makes it necessary to continue PM-SHRI to access essential funds.
- LDF is accusing UDF of hypocrisy and alleging collusion with BJP.
- BJP is calling UDF decision a victory and linking it to National Education Policy implementation.
LDF is not taking this quietly at all . They are saying UDF’s move is betrayal of Keralian values and surrender to national education agenda associated with BJP. Their main attack is that UDF had earlier criticised PM-SHRI,but now after coming to power,it is continuing same scheme .
But BJP is seeing whole thing differently. They have praised UDF decision and are saying PM-SHRI is already running in other states and will help modernize education in Kerala. According to BJP,it does not threaten state’s educational integrity .
And tbh,this is classic Kerala politics only,where even school policy becomes full ideological fight . One side is talking funds and practical need,another side is warning about control and identity,and BJP is treating it like opening for National Education Policy.
Question now is whether UDF can actually implement PM-SHRI while keeping curriculum under state control,or whether this will slowly turn into another long political fight between UDF,LDF and BJP…
