PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at qualitatively strengthening selected government schools across India. These institutions are designed to act as exemplar schools that showcase the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Over time, they will emerge as regional leaders, mentoring and handholding neighbouring schools to create a ripple effect of excellence across the learning ecosystem.

The curriculum and pedagogy in PM SHRI schools shift away from rote memorization toward experiential, holistic, and inquiry-driven learning. The scheme focuses on developing students across all three domains of learning—Cognitive, Affective, and psychomotor—while incorporating modern 21st-century skills, digital literacy, and eco-friendly "Green School" practices.

Benchmark Selection Criteria:

As per the guidelines devised by the Government of India the selection under the PM SHRI scheme follows a competitive Challenge Mode divided into three stages. To be eligible for selection in Stage 2, Elementary (Class 1–5/1–8) and Secondary/Senior Secondary schools (Class 1–10/1–12/6–10/6–12) managed by Central, State, UT, or local governments must fulfil a set of minimum parameters. These benchmarks are automatically populated via the UDISE+ portal and include:

The minimum benchmarks that the school shall fulfil are as follows:

1. The school should have its own pucca building in good condition.
2. Barrier free access built in accordance with safety norms.
3. The school must be safely oriented and fully equipped with fire safety measures.
4. The enrolment of students at Elementary (Class 1-5/1-8) level and Senior Secondary (Class 6-12/6-10/1-10/1-12) level must be at least more than the state average enrolment, for the category.
5. The school should have at least one separate toilet each for boys & girls.
6. The school must have potable drinking water facility.
7. The school must have separate hand washing facility.
8. All teachers should have Photo ID Card as per extant guidelines.
9. Electricity supply in working condition in the school.
10. School should have Library/library corner facilities and Sports equipment

Schools meeting these baseline conditions then self-apply on the online portal to compete in Stage 3, where urban schools must score a minimum of 70% and rural schools a minimum of 60% across specific challenge domains (Infrastructure, Teaching Capacity, PM POSHAN, Learning Outcomes, Green Initiatives, etc.).