Mission PM Shri 2040 | Vanshika Parmaar

MISSION PM SHRI 2040 — Schools for Rising India
A Strategic White Paper on Transforming Education, Sustainability, and Leadership

MISSION PM SHRI 2040 — Schools for Rising India

A Strategic White Paper on Transforming Education, Sustainability, and Leadership

Author: Vanshika Parmar

Foreword

India’s schools are not merely places of learning—they are the workshops where the idea of Bharat@2047 is being shaped. The PM SHRI Yojana (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) represents a visionary step by the Government of India to transform our education system into one that is innovative, inclusive, and sustainable. It seeks to convert selected schools across the nation into model institutions that reflect the full spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020)—holistic learning, environmental stewardship, skill integration, and digital empowerment.

Through my engagements across education, environment, and youth leadership—from promoting sustainable tourism in Himachal Pradesh to representing India on global environmental platforms—I have witnessed how education can serve as the most powerful catalyst for sustainable development. When young minds are nurtured with purpose-driven learning, they evolve into conscious citizens who lead with empathy, creativity, and civic responsibility.

This white paper, Mission PM SHRI 2040, proposes a long-term roadmap to strengthen the scheme’s institutional design, monitoring systems, and leadership pathways. It underscores the idea that education reform must not only deliver learning outcomes but also cultivate character, confidence, and climate consciousness.

My personal mission is to help bridge policy with participation—to connect the country’s vision of quality education with the aspirations of its youth. As India moves towards becoming a global knowledge leader, I believe the PM SHRI framework can evolve into the world’s largest model for sustainable, equitable, and future-ready schooling.

— Vanshika Parmar

Executive Summary

The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) Yojana, launched in September 2022, is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It aims to upgrade over 14,500 existing schools into exemplary learning institutions that integrate quality education, environmental sustainability, and digital innovation in line with the vision of NEP 2020.

As of 2024, the PM SHRI network spans 28 States and 8 Union Territories, covering more than 2 crore students and 2 lakh trained teachers. Each PM SHRI school serves as a demonstration model for holistic education—combining academic rigour with values of sustainability, inclusion, and life skills.

Mission PM SHRI 2040 — Core Vision

The purpose of this white paper is to extend the PM SHRI mission into a strategic horizon up to 2040, outlining how the scheme can evolve into a national movement for educational excellence and sustainable development.
The document synthesises data from official MoE Annual Reports (2023–24), UDISE Plus 2023, and the PM SHRI Portal, translating them into an actionable policy and leadership framework.

Strategic Objectives

Transform Education Infrastructure:
Modernise and green 14,500+ schools into model campuses with solar energy, smart classrooms, inclusive design, and waste-free systems.
Strengthen Teacher Capacity:
Provide continuous professional development in NEP-based pedagogy, AI-enabled learning, and climate literacy.
Enhance Learning Outcomes:
Integrate skill-based, multilingual, and experiential learning modules aligned with NEP 2020.
Foster Sustainability and LiFE Values:
Make every PM SHRI school a living laboratory for Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) practices.
Institutionalise Youth and Community Leadership:
Establish a National Ambassador Network—mobilising students, educators, and young leaders as ambassadors for sustainable education.

Strategic Relevance

The next two decades will define India’s trajectory as a knowledge and sustainability superpower. By 2040, the PM SHRI framework can anchor three national goals:

Educational Excellence: World-class learning outcomes through NEP-aligned curricula and digital innovation.
Environmental Responsibility: Every school as a green micro-ecosystem supporting India’s net-zero vision.
Youth Leadership: Empowering the next generation to co-lead the nation’s education transformation.

Leadership and Vision

“The PM SHRI Yojana is more than a scheme—it is a seed for a generational transformation. As a youth leader deeply engaged with education, environment, and cultural diplomacy, I aspire to serve as the National Youth and Sustainability Ambassador for the Mission—helping India connect classrooms with climate action, and learning with leadership.”
— Vanshika Parmar

This white paper positions leadership not as an ornament of policy but as its engine. By institutionalising youth and ambassadorial leadership within PM SHRI, India can ensure that every school embodies the spirit of Sustainability, Harmony, Resilience, and Innovation—the true meaning of SHRI.

PART I — India’s Education Context and PM SHRI Overview

1.1 National Education Landscape

India hosts one of the world’s largest school education systems, with 14.9 lakh schools, serving nearly 26 crore students and employing 95 lakh teachers (UDISE Plus 2023).
Over the last decade, national reforms have moved decisively toward quality, inclusivity, digital integration, and sustainability.
The National Education Policy (NEP 2020) defines this century’s education vision — a shift from rote learning to competency-based, holistic education rooted in Indian ethos and aligned with global standards.

However, challenges persist: learning outcome disparities between urban and rural schools, unequal infrastructure, and insufficient teacher up-skilling.
Recognising this, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) Yojana in September 2022, under the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, to demonstrate how NEP 2020 can be implemented in real, functioning government schools.

1.2 PM SHRI Yojana — Overview

PM SHRI is designed as a transformational initiative, not a parallel schooling network.
It upgrades selected existing schools — Central, State, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas — into model schools showcasing best practices in curriculum, pedagogy, inclusion, and green infrastructure.

Key Objectives

Deliver quality, joyful, and inclusive education aligned with NEP 2020.
Develop green, digital, and safe infrastructure with renewable-energy integration.
Build teacher capacity through continuous professional development.
Foster skill education, art integration, and experiential learning.
Promote LiFE — Lifestyle for Environment values across campuses.

1.3 Implementation Architecture (2022-27)

1.4 Current Status and Progress (Verified 2024 Data)

14,597 schools approved; all States and UTs onboarded.
7,162 schools equipped with smart classrooms and solar panels under Phase I.
2,04,310 teachers trained through NCERT and SCERT NEP modules.
92 % of schools have achieved accessibility standards (ramps, inclusive toilets).
PM SHRI portal operational with digital dashboards tracking physical & financial progress.

1.5 Strategic Significance

PM SHRI demonstrates how existing public schools can be elevated into beacons of excellence within current administrative frameworks.
Its focus on sustainability and digital readiness supports India’s twin national goals — achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and ensuring inclusive quality education for all under SDG 4.

By linking education, sustainability, and innovation, the scheme establishes a foundation for:

Institutionalising LiFE values in young citizens.
Building future-ready talent equipped for the green and digital economy.
Enhancing India’s global education diplomacy as a model for the Global South.

1.6 Policy Context

The Yojana converges multiple flagship programmes:

Samagra Shiksha — for learning outcomes and access.
NEP 2020 — for curricular and assessment reform.
Digital India and National Green Mission — for ICT and sustainability.
Together, these create a unified pathway for Mission PM SHRI 2040, wherein every government school aspires to meet the performance and sustainability standards of a PM SHRI model institution.

PART II — Analytical Framework and Diagnostics

2.1 Institutional Architecture

The PM SHRI Yojana operates through a three-tier governance structure ensuring accountability, coordination, and measurable outcomes.

National Level:
A National Steering Committee chaired by the Secretary (Department of School Education & Literacy, MoE)* oversees planning, financial release, and inter-ministerial convergence. The committee meets quarterly and is supported by a National PM SHRI Cell hosted at MoE for data monitoring and technical guidance.

State Level:
Each State/UT has established a State PM SHRI Society chaired by the Principal Secretary (School Education). These bodies integrate PM SHRI implementation with Samagra Shiksha, coordinate with SCERT for teacher training, and ensure infrastructure alignment through the Public Works Department.

District and School Level:
At the execution layer, District Education Officers coordinate fund utilisation and physical progress, while School Management Committees (SMCs) and Head Teachers lead implementation, documentation, and reporting through the PM SHRI portal.

2.2 Performance Snapshot (2023–24)

2.3 Key Diagnostics and Challenges

Infrastructure Variation:
Implementation speed differs among States. While some have achieved full solar and ICT coverage, others lag due to procurement and terrain challenges.
Teacher Capacity Gaps:
Nearly 40 % of teachers require refresher training on competency-based education, assessment reforms, and AI-enabled pedagogy.
Digital Divide:
Limited network connectivity in remote districts restricts optimal use of digital resources and real-time reporting.
Sustainability Financing:
Several States report difficulty in maintaining green infrastructure (solar panels, rainwater systems) without dedicated maintenance budgets.
Monitoring Delays:
Manual data entry and variable digital literacy among staff cause inconsistencies in progress reporting.

2.4 Opportunities and Strategic Entry Points (2025 onwards)

Integration of LiFE Modules:
Introduce Lifestyle for Environment activities across PM SHRI schools — waste segregation, water harvesting, biodiversity corners — to operationalise NEP’s sustainability ethos.
Creation of a Green Campus Index (GCI):
Develop measurable indicators for energy consumption, waste management, tree cover, and water recycling to rank schools annually.
Public–Private Partnerships (PPP):
Leverage CSR funding for solar infrastructure, digital classrooms, and skill labs through transparent MoUs with corporates and PSUs.
PM SHRI Innovator Teachers Programme:
Launch a national fellowship to recognise teachers pioneering experiential and digital learning models; results to feed into NCERT knowledge hubs.
Youth LiFE Clubs and Ambassador Network:
Institutionalise student leadership through PM SHRI Youth Clubs, appointing one Youth LiFE Ambassador per school to lead community-based environmental and social projects.
Education Performance Index (EPI 2040):
Introduce a composite index for benchmarking and funding decisions.

2.5 Education Performance Index (EPI 2040) — Analytical Framework

2.6 Strategic Insight

PM SHRI’s multi-dimensional design aligns education reform with India’s larger development goals — Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Viksit Bharat @ 2047, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
When integrated with LiFE principles, the Mission can transform over 14,500 schools into living laboratories of sustainability, producing students who are not just employable but responsible global citizens.

PART III — Strategic Reforms and the Mission PM SHRI 2040 Blueprint

3.1 Vision Statement

Mission PM SHRI 2040 envisions an India where every school becomes a centre of learning, leadership, and sustainability.
By the year 2040, the objective is to establish a network of One Million Green and Smart Schools that are digitally connected, environmentally responsible, and socially inclusive — preparing students not only for livelihoods but for life-long citizenship.

The mission rests on five guiding pillars:

Quality Learning and Innovation — ensuring that every child attains age-appropriate competencies and 21st-century skills.
Equity and Inclusion — providing access to all learners irrespective of geography, gender, or ability.
Sustainability and LiFE Integration — embedding environmental consciousness and green practices into daily school operations.
Teacher and Youth Leadership — building a new generation of educators and ambassadors as changemakers.
Data and Accountability — strengthening performance monitoring through transparent digital systems.

3.2 Guiding Principles

Education as Nation-Building: Schools as catalysts for social transformation and national unity.
Inclusivity as Strength: Equitable participation of girls, rural learners, and children with special needs.
Sustainability as Citizenship: Green campus practices as part of civic behaviour.
Technology as Enabler: Digital tools to enhance pedagogy, transparency, and efficiency.
Leadership as Continuity: Youth and teacher leaders as anchors of long-term change.

3.3 Ten Strategic Reforms under Mission PM SHRI 2040

3.4 Implementation Timeline (2025–2040)

3.5 Leadership Integration Model — Vanshika Parmar

The success of Mission PM SHRI 2040 depends on leadership that can inspire, communicate, and connect policy with purpose.
Vanshika Parmar embodies this model — a youth leader who bridges environmental consciousness, cultural communication, and education advocacy.

Her leadership narrative integrates three core dimensions:

Educational Advocacy: Championing skill-based, inclusive learning through engagement with teachers, students, and policymakers.
Environmental Stewardship: Representing India at global platforms such as Miss Earth and UN Environment events, promoting LiFE and sustainability.
Cultural Diplomacy: Serving as Tourism Ambassador for Himachal Pradesh and public communicator of sustainable development values.

The paper proposes the formal establishment of a PM SHRI National Youth and Sustainability Ambassador Network, under which Vanshika Parmar will serve as the prototype ambassador and mentor, responsible for:

National outreach campaigns across schools and universities.
Training and inspiring state and district-level student ambassadors.
Partnering with MoE, NCERT, and NITI Aayog for awareness and communication.

This integration of youth leadership institutionalises public participation, enhances visibility, and ensures that India’s education reform has both policy structure and human inspiration.

3.5A Leadership Integration Model — Extended Framework for Vanshika Parmar

The success of Mission PM SHRI 2040 will rely not only on institutional reforms but also on inspirational leadership capable of uniting students, educators, communities, and policymakers under a shared national purpose.
Leadership in education must combine vision, credibility, communication, and continuity — qualities exemplified by Vanshika Parmar, whose work across environmental diplomacy, youth empowerment, and public communication makes her a natural choice to serve as the public face of this transformation.

Proposed Role: National Youth and Sustainability Ambassador — Mission PM SHRI 2040

In alignment with the vision of the Ministry of Education and the NEP 2020’s emphasis on youth participation, the white paper proposes the formal designation of Vanshika Parmar as the National Youth and Sustainability Ambassador for Mission PM SHRI 2040.
This role will institutionalise youth leadership within the Mission’s governance framework, bridging policy, communication, and community engagement.

Strategic Leadership Mandate

Domain

Ambassadorial Contribution (Proposed under MoE Framework)

National Representation

Serve as the official face of Mission PM SHRI 2040 in national and state-level forums, presenting India’s vision for sustainable education and youth empowerment.

Public Engagement & Communication

Lead the national awareness initiative “Schools for Rising India”, bringing together students, educators, and citizens through digital, cultural, and field outreach campaigns.

Youth & Student Leadership Development

Mentor the PM SHRI Youth LiFE Ambassadors Network—a cadre of student leaders from each school trained to promote sustainability, innovation, and inclusion.

Teacher Empowerment & Motivation

Collaborate with NCERT, SCERT, and PM SHRI Teacher Fellowship participants to host annual “Educators for India” sessions, promoting excellence and motivation among teaching communities.

Cultural and Educational Diplomacy

Represent India’s education and sustainability initiatives at global platforms including UNESCO, G20, and Global South Education Forums.

Policy Advisory Interface

Participate in high-level consultations with MoE, NITI Aayog, and allied ministries to support education innovation, green finance convergence, and citizen participation strategies.

Rationale for Institutionalising the Ambassadorial Role

Credibility and Public Trust:
Vanshika Parmar has earned national and international recognition — as Miss India Earth 2022, Youth and Sustainability Advocate, and Tourism Ambassador for Himachal Pradesh. Her record of representing India on global platforms such as Miss Earth, UN Environment Programme, and WWF collaborations reflects her ability to align public aspiration with policy objectives.
Alignment with NEP 2020 Vision:
NEP 2020 emphasises “holistic development, ethics, and global citizenship.” Vanshika’s leadership naturally operationalises this through her work at the intersection of education, environment, and empowerment.
Gender-Responsive and Youth-Centric Leadership:
Her journey represents India’s commitment to “Empowered Women, Empowered Nation”. Positioning her as the national face reinforces the government’s dedication to gender equality and youth representation in nation-building.
Cultural Communication Bridge:
She brings an exceptional ability to communicate complex reforms in accessible, human terms—turning policy into public purpose through storytelling, visual outreach, and ground-level engagement.
Continuity and Institutional Memory:
Through structured ambassadorial programmes and mentorship initiatives, her leadership ensures Mission PM SHRI 2040 retains momentum, credibility, and youth ownership beyond its initial phases.

Operational Framework (Proposed under MoE)

National Role:
Coordinate with the PM SHRI Secretariat for school outreach, communication strategy, and leadership training.
Represent the Mission in public campaigns, conferences, and media communication.
State Role:
Collaborate with State Education Departments to identify and mentor regional Student LiFE Ambassadors and Teacher Fellows.
Institutional Role:
Serve as Honorary Mentor for the PM SHRI Leadership Academy, guiding fellowship design and youth innovation initiatives.

Expected Outcomes

Enhanced national visibility and public ownership of Mission PM SHRI 2040.
Strengthened youth and teacher participation in sustainable education.
Improved inter-ministerial collaboration through communication leadership.
Increased citizen engagement and CSR alignment through relatable public representation.
Positive international recognition of India’s education diplomacy and sustainable development agenda.

“Policies change systems; leadership changes people. Mission PM SHRI 2040 will achieve both.
As National Youth and Sustainability Ambassador, my role is to ensure that every schoolchild believes they are not just learning for themselves — they are learning for India.”
— Vanshika Parmar

3.6 Financial Framework (Indicative Projection 2025–2040)

3.7 Expected Outcomes by 2040

1 million schools upgraded to Green & Smart standards.
100 % NEP 2020 compliance in pedagogy and governance.
5 million teachers trained in experiential and digital education.
Equal gender representation in leadership and enrolment.
10 lakh student ambassadors leading community sustainability projects.
India recognised globally as the education and sustainability hub of the Global South.

PART IV — Implementation Roadmap and Vision 2040 Outlook

4.1 Institutional Roadmap (2025 – 2040)

National PM SHRI Secretariat (2025):
Establish within MoE a dedicated Secretariat for programme governance, data analytics, and communication.
It will coordinate quarterly with NCERT, NITI Aayog, and State PM SHRI Societies to ensure inter-ministerial alignment.

State and District Integration (2025 – 2027):
Each State to constitute a PM SHRI Cell linking Samagra Shiksha, SCERT, and Public Works Departments.
District Implementation Units to monitor infrastructure and teacher training targets through the PM SHRI Portal.

Digital Infrastructure (2026 – 2030):
Develop the National Education Performance Dashboard integrating EPI and Green Campus Index (GCI) data with real-time school metrics.
Partnership with ISRO for GIS tracking and Digital India Mission for open-data access.

Finance Convergence (2026 – 2032):
Operationalise the PM SHRI Blended Finance Facility to mobilise CSR and Green Credit funds for energy, water and ICT projects.
Annual joint review to be chaired by the Finance Secretary.

Leadership and Capacity Building (2025 – 2040):
Implement the National Teacher Fellowship and Youth Ambassador Programmes under the PM SHRI Leadership Academy.
Train 100,000 educators and student ambassadors annually through NCERT and State Training Centres.

4.2 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 2040

4.3 Risk Management and Mitigation

4.4 Communication and Public Engagement Plan

National PM SHRI Week (From 2026 onwards):
An annual nationwide celebration of innovation in education featuring school exhibitions, teacher awards, and student LiFE campaigns.

Digital Outreach — #SchoolsForRisingIndia Campaign:
Multi-platform storytelling through MyGov, Doordarshan, and social media to showcase school success stories and community impact.

LiFE Voices Series:
Short documentaries profiling teachers and students who exemplify sustainable practices within PM SHRI schools.
Narrated and curated by Vanshika Parmar as National Youth and Sustainability Ambassador.

Cultural Integration:
Integration of traditional ecological knowledge and local heritage activities within school curricula — linking education with culture and citizenship.

4.5 Vision 2040 Outlook

If implemented with discipline, transparency, and leadership, Mission PM SHRI 2040 will achieve:

Transformation of over 1 million schools into green, digitally enabled learning ecosystems.
Complete integration of NEP 2020 objectives in curriculum and governance.
A national teacher and student leadership movement that bridges policy and practice.
Recognition of India as the global epicentre for education-for-sustainability models.

“Education is the root of every reform, and the student is its flower. The PM SHRI Mission is India’s promise to nurture that flower into a tree of knowledge, sustainability, and national pride.”
— Vanshika Parmar

4.6 Authored Reflection

Schools are where India’s future learns to breathe. They must breathe clean air, learn in digital freedom, and grow in the shade of values. Mission PM SHRI 2040 is not only a policy framework but a living dream for our children — a dream rooted in discipline, data, and dharma.
— Vanshika Parmar

Vanshika Parmar

MISSION PM SHRI 2040 — Schools for Rising India A Strategic White Paper on Transforming Education, Sustainability, and Leadership