Samagra Shiksha Scheme (2021–26)

1. Introduction & Background

• Launched: 2018, revamped for 2021–2026 with an outlay of ₹2.94 lakh crore.

• Integrated Scheme combining:

  • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

  • Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)

  • Teacher Education (TE)

• Covers: Pre-school to Class XII

• Aligned with:

  • Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009

  • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

  • Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4)

2. Vision

To provide quality, equitable, inclusive and holistic school education for all children, considering their diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs, and academic abilities.

3. Objectives

• Implement NEP 2020 and RTE Act, 2009

• Focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)

• Bridge social and gender gaps

• Ensure equity, inclusion, safety, and quality learning outcomes

• Upgrade SCERTs, DIETs, and teacher education structures

• Promote vocationalisation, sports, digital learning

4. Coverage & Reach

• 11.6 lakh schools, 15.6 crore students, 57 lakh teachers

• Government and Aided schools from pre-primary to Class XII

• Stakeholders include teachers, SCERTs, DIETs, parents, SMCs, volunteers, BRCs, CRCs

5. Key Features

a) Holistic Approach

• Continuum from pre-school to Class XII

• Unified administrative and funding structure

b) Technology Integration

• PRABANDH system on Shagun portal for monitoring fund release, approvals, UDISE+ data

• Support for ICT labs, smart classrooms, DTH, and digital content

c) Pedagogical Focus (5+3+3+4 structure)

• From Anganwadi to Senior Secondary

• Activity-based, experiential, and multidisciplinary learning

d) Quality & Innovation

• Support for Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan

• Introduction of Holistic Progress Cards (HPCs)

• Strengthening PARAKH (National Assessment Centre)

e) Equity and Inclusion

• Upgrading KGBVs to Class XII

• Enhanced aid for CWSN, girls with disabilities

• Self-defence training (Rani Laxmibai Atma Raksha Prashikshan) with increased funding

• Focus on aspirational, LWE, border and educationally backward districts

f) Support for RTE Entitlements

• Uniforms: ₹600/child/year

• Textbooks: ₹250–400/child/year

• Library grants: ₹5,000–₹20,000

• Composite School Grant: ₹25,000–₹1,00,000

• Transport up to ₹6,000/year (Class 1–12)

6. Focus Areas

7. Governance & Implementation

• States/UTs have flexibility to prioritise interventions.

• Use of KPIs for outcome tracking.

• Implementation aided by revised programmatic and financial norms issued in August 2021.

Samagra Shiksha: Digital & DBT Initiatives 

1. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

• The redesigned scheme emphasizes direct outreach to students through child-centric interventions via DBT mode.

2. ICT and Digital Initiatives

• Financial assistance is provided to States/UTs for:

  • ICT Labs

  • Smart Classrooms

  • Digital Boards

  • Virtual Classrooms

  • DTH Channels

3. Grant Structure:

States may choose one of the two ICT configurations:

Option 1: ICT Labs (for Classes 6–12)

• Non-recurring grant: ₹6.40 lakh per school

• Recurring grant: ₹2.40 lakh per school/year (for 5 years)

Option 2: Smart Classrooms (max 2/classrooms per school)

• Non-recurring grant: ₹2.40 lakh per school

• Recurring grant: ₹0.38 lakh per year

Recurring cost covers:

• Instructor salary/support

• E-content and digital resources

• Electricity and internet charges

Q. With reference to the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It subsumes Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE).

2. It covers the entire school education spectrum from Class I to Class XII.

3. It is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4) on quality education.

Which of the above statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Q. Consider the following statements about PRABANDH and UDISE+ under Samagra Shiksha:

1. PRABANDH is a platform for tracking fund releases, school gaps, and monthly progress reports.

2. UDISE+ is the only source used for physical infrastructure approvals.

3. Both PRABANDH and UDISE+ are integrated into the Shagun platform.

Which of the above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B
Explanation: UDISE+ is a major source but not the only source for approvals.

Q. Which of the following are new interventions introduced in the revamped (2021–26) Samagra Shiksha?

1. Holistic Progress Cards (HPCs) for learner assessment

2. Child tracking provision and DBT mechanisms

3. Inclusion of bilingual teaching material and support for Hindi and Urdu teachers

4. Revised norms for Programmatic and Financial planning

Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 3 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: D