States Must Adhere to Samagra Shiksha Norms for Central Funding
The Union Education Ministry has reiterated that states must comply with the terms of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to receive central funds.
Photo by CIMT HOOGHLY
The Union Education Ministry has firmly stated that states must adhere to the terms and conditions of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to be eligible for central funding under the scheme. This clarification comes in the context of Himachal Pradesh facing delays in receiving funds due to non-compliance with certain norms, such as the timely submission of audit reports and utilization certificates.
Essentially, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is an overarching program for school education, from pre-school to senior secondary levels, aiming for equitable and inclusive quality education. The Centre's stance highlights the principle of cooperative federalism, where states receive financial assistance but are also expected to meet specific implementation and accountability standards set by the Union government for national schemes.
Key Facts
Union Education Ministry stated states must abide by Samagra Shiksha terms for funds
Himachal Pradesh faced delays due to non-compliance (audit reports, utilization certificates)
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is an overarching program for school education
Aims for equitable and inclusive quality education from pre-school to senior secondary
UPSC Exam Angles
Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and their role in national development.
Cooperative Federalism: principles, challenges, and constitutional provisions.
Fiscal Federalism: Centre-state financial relations, grants-in-aid, accountability mechanisms.
Education Policy and Governance: evolution, constitutional status, and major initiatives.
Public Financial Management: audit, utilization certificates, and transparency in government spending.
Visual Insights
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: State Compliance & Funding Delays
This map highlights Himachal Pradesh, the state specifically mentioned in the news for facing funding delays due to non-compliance with Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan norms. It also marks the location of the Union Education Ministry, which issued the clarification, providing a geographic context to the news.
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Funding & Accountability Cycle for Centrally Sponsored Schemes (e.g., Samagra Shiksha)
This flowchart illustrates the typical process of central funding for Centrally Sponsored Schemes like the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, emphasizing the critical points of accountability, such as the submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs) and audit reports, which are central to the current news.
- 1.Union Govt. (e.g., Education Ministry) formulates scheme & allocates funds
- 2.Funds released to State Govt. (as per Centre-State sharing pattern)
- 3.State Govt. implements scheme through various agencies/departments
- 4.Funds utilized for approved purpose as per guidelines
- 5.State prepares & submits Utilization Certificates (UCs) to Union Govt.
- 6.State ensures audit of scheme expenditure & submits Audit Reports
- 7.Union Govt. reviews UCs & Audit Reports for compliance
- 8.Future funding released (if compliant)
- 9.Future funding delayed/stopped (if non-compliant)
More Information
Background
Education in India has seen a significant evolution in its constitutional status and policy framework. Initially a state subject, it was moved to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, allowing both the Centre and states to legislate on it. This shift paved the way for greater central intervention and the launch of national-level schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for elementary education and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for secondary education.
These were later subsumed into the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan in 2018, creating an overarching program for school education from pre-school to senior secondary. The concept of cooperative federalism, where the Centre and states collaborate to achieve national goals, is central to the implementation of such Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. With reference to the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, consider the following statements: 1. It is an overarching program for school education, covering pre-school to senior secondary levels. 2. The scheme aims to improve access, equity, and quality in school education. 3. Funding under the scheme is entirely provided by the Union Government, with states acting as implementing agencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is correct. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is indeed an overarching program that subsumed Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE), covering the entire spectrum from pre-school to senior secondary. Statement 2 is correct. Its primary objectives include ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education. Statement 3 is incorrect. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), meaning the funding is shared between the Union and State governments, not entirely provided by the Union Government. The sharing pattern varies, typically 60:40 for general states, 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern states, and 100% for Union Territories.
2. In the context of cooperative federalism in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body established to facilitate coordination between states and the Centre.
- B.The NITI Aayog has largely replaced the planning commission's role in fostering cooperative federalism through its 'Team India' approach.
- C.Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) are a key instrument for the Union government to implement national priorities with state participation.
- D.The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act moved education from the State List to the Concurrent List to promote competitive federalism among states.
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement A is correct. The Inter-State Council is established under Article 263 of the Constitution to inquire into and advise upon disputes between states, investigate and discuss subjects in which some or all of the states, or the Union and one or more of the states, have a common interest. Statement B is correct. NITI Aayog, through its 'Team India' approach and various initiatives, aims to foster cooperative federalism by involving states in policy formulation and implementation, replacing the top-down approach of the erstwhile Planning Commission. Statement C is correct. CSS are indeed a primary mechanism through which the Centre guides and funds states for programs of national importance, embodying cooperative federalism. Statement D is incorrect. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, moved education from the State List to the Concurrent List primarily to enable the Union government to play a more significant role in setting national standards and policies for education, thereby promoting a more unified approach rather than competitive federalism. The move was aimed at strengthening cooperative federalism in the education sector.
3. Consider the following statements regarding financial accountability in Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS): 1. Utilization Certificates (UCs) are submitted by state governments to the Union government to confirm that funds have been used for the approved purpose. 2. Audit reports, typically by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), ensure financial propriety and compliance with rules. 3. Delays in submission of UCs and audit reports can lead to the withholding of subsequent fund releases by the Union government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct. Utilization Certificates (UCs) are crucial documents submitted by implementing agencies (state governments or their departments) to the funding agency (Union government) to certify that the grants received have been utilized for the specific purpose for which they were sanctioned. Statement 2 is correct. Audit reports, particularly those by the CAG, play a vital role in ensuring accountability by scrutinizing financial transactions, verifying compliance with rules and regulations, and assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of expenditure. Statement 3 is correct. As highlighted in the news, non-compliance with financial accountability norms, such as delayed submission of UCs and audit reports, is a common reason for the Union government to delay or withhold further releases of funds to states, ensuring fiscal discipline and proper utilization of public money.