Jammu and Kashmir Enrolls 90,000 in PM SHRI Schools as Pension Aid Remains Low

Jammu and Kashmir has become a major beneficiary of the central government's PM SHRI school programme, with 396 schools enrolling 90,338 students. The schools are model institutions under the National Education Policy, featuring smart classrooms, ICT labs, vocational training and other NEP components. Nationally, the scheme covers 13,092 schools and about 6.85 million students.

At the same time, the Union Territory receives some of the lowest pension top‑ups under the National Social Assistance Programme. Central assistance to the scheme has not changed since 2012, and Jammu and Kashmir provides a monthly top‑up of Rs 800 for old‑age pensioners aged 60‑79, Rs 500 for those 80 and above, and Rs 700 for widows and persons with disabilities, placing it among the lowest‑aid regions in India.