UPSC(2026) Prelims Practice questions based on The PM-SHRI Scheme & The Federal Fray

 UPSC(2026) Prelims Practice questions based on 

The PM-SHRI Scheme & The Federal Fray 

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1. The PM SHRI scheme is directly associated with the implementation of which of the following?

(a) The Right to Education Act, 2009

(b) The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

(c) The National Education Policy (NEP)-2020

(d) The Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Answer: (c)

• Explanation: The article explicitly states that the PM SHRI scheme "dovetails the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020." It is the vehicle through which the Centre is promoting the adoption of the NEP.

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2. Which of the following states mentioned in the article has approached the Supreme Court regarding the withholding of central funds?

(a) Kerala and Tamil Nadu

(b) Tamil Nadu

(c) Kerala and West Bengal

(d) West Bengal

Answer: (b)

• Explanation: The article states, "Earlier this year, Tamil Nadu had approached the Supreme Court of India after the Centre withheld funds under the Samagra Shiksha (SS) scheme over the State’s refusal to adopt the NEP-PM SHRI framework."

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3. The primary reason cited by states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu for opposing the NEP-2020 is:

(a) It mandates the use of Hindi as a medium of instruction.

(b) It leads to a reduction in the number of teaching posts.

(c) It encroaches on the State's autonomy on a subject in the Concurrent List.

(d) It privatizes the entire school education system.

Answer: (c)

• Explanation: The article mentions Kerala's contention that the NEP "sought to encroach on the subject of school education, which is in the Concurrent List." This is the core constitutional issue related to federalism.

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4. Consider the following statements regarding the status of the PM SHRI scheme in Kerala:

1. The Kerala Cabinet unanimously approved the signing of the MoU with the Centre.

2. The CPI, a partner in the ruling LDF, supported the decision to join the scheme.

3. A cabinet subcommittee will now scrutinize the MoU before any implementation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c)

• Explanation: Statement 1 is false as the MoU was signed "without Cabinet approval." Statement 2 is false as the CPI "demanded an immediate withdrawal." Statement 3 is true as the allies agreed that "a cabinet subcommittee will scrutinise the MoU."

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5. The article argues that the Centre's action of withholding funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme to enforce the adoption of NEP-PM SHRI undermines:

(a) The Fundamental Rights of citizens

(b) The principle of Cooperative Federalism

(c) The doctrine of Basic Structure

(d) The Directive Principles of State Policy

Answer: (b)

• Explanation: The article's central critique is that this action undermines federalism. It explicitly states, "In India’s federal polity, the judiciary must robustly defend cooperative federalism whenever it is undermined."

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6. What was the immediate administrative reason given by the CPI(M) in Kerala for initially signing the PM SHRI MoU?

(a) To improve the state's learning outcomes.

(b) To avail of federal funds that were withheld, leading to salary arrears.

(c) To modernize the school infrastructure.

(d) To comply with a directive from the Supreme Court.

Answer: (b)

• Explanation: The CPI(M) argued that "enrolment in PM SHRI was necessary to avail of federal funds withheld under the SS, which had led to salary arrears for teachers and non-teaching staff."

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7. The subject of 'Education' is included in which List of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

(a) Union List

(b) State List

(c) Concurrent List

(d) Residuary List

Answer: (c)

• Explanation: This is a fundamental question of Indian Polity. The subject 'Education' was moved from the State List to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976.

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8. According to the article, a specific concern raised about the NEP-2020's content is the integration of 'Indian Knowledge Systems', which critics fear is a euphemism for:

(a) Modern Scientific Temper

(b) Pseudoscience

(c) Vocational Training

(d) Foreign Educational Models

Answer: (b)

• Explanation: The article states that Kerala would be forced to comply with provisions for the integration of ‘Indian Knowledge Systems’, "which many reckon is a euphemism for pseudoscience."

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9. The article highlights Kerala's high performance in school education based on several parameters. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as one of these parameters?

(a) Near-universal gross enrolment ratio

(b) High retention rates

(c) Superior learning outcomes

(d) Highest number of schools in the country

Answer: (d)

• Explanation: The article praises Kerala's "near-universal gross enrolment ratio, high retention rates, superior learning outcomes, and modern infrastructure." The "highest number of schools" is not mentioned and is factually incorrect.

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10. What is the core constitutional principle that the author believes is at stake in the dispute between the Centre and States over the PM SHRI scheme?

(a) The Principle of Equality

(b) The Principle of Secularism

(c) The Principle of Federalism and State Autonomy

(d) The Principle of Judicial Review

Answer: (c)

• Explanation: The entire article frames the issue as a conflict between the Centre's push for a unified policy and the autonomy of states. The concluding line, "Federalism and State autonomy cannot be bargaining points in the quest for funds," clearly identifies this as the core principle.