• Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2022 to upgrade 14,500 schools as model institutions for NEP 2020 implementation.
• Objective: To create inclusive, nurturing schools with modern infrastructure, holistic education, and competency-based learning.

Funding Pattern:

1. 60:40 (Centre: State/UTs with legislature, except J&K).
2. 90:10 for Northeastern & Himalayan States, J&K.
3. 100% Central funding for UTs without legislature. States must sign an MoU with the Centre to participate.

• Holistic learning: Focus on communication, collaboration, critical thinking. Experiential, inquiry-driven, learner-centred pedagogy.
• Modern facilities: Smart classrooms, Computer Labs, Integrated Science Labs, Vocational Labs, Atal Tinkering Labs.
• Green initiatives: Water conservation, waste recycling, energy efficiency.
• Competency-based assessments linked to real-life applications.

School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) ensures performance evaluation & institutional excellence.

• Stage-1: Signing MoU with the Centre.
• Stage-2: Identifying eligible schools using UDISE+ data.
• Stage-3: Schools compete to meet selection criteria, verified by States/UTs/KVS/JNV.

Final selection by Expert Committee headed by the Education Secretary.

PYQ:

[2017] What is the purpose of ‘Vidyanjali Yojana’?

1. To enable the famous foreign campuses in India.

2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.

3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 2 and 3 only