Major push for modern education with new schools, smart classrooms, and recruitment of 5,000 teachers; focus on PM SHRI schools, Vivekananda Excellence Schools, and Education Cities in tribal regions.
Published on: March 13, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
The Chhattisgarh government has allocated ₹22,466 crore for the School Education Department in the 2026–27 state budget, marking a significant investment aimed at modernizing and strengthening the state’s education system. Announcing the allocation during the budget session in the state assembly, School Education Minister Gajendra Yadav said the budget reflects the government’s commitment to making education modern, inclusive, and quality-driven.
Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and the state’s finance leadership, the minister emphasized that education has been placed among the top priorities of the government. “Our goal is to ensure that every child in the state receives better educational opportunities through a strengthened and future-ready system,” he said.
Boost to PM SHRI Schools and Digital Education
A major component of the budget focuses on upgrading schools under the PM SHRI Scheme. The state has earmarked ₹250 crore to equip selected schools with modern facilities. These institutions will be developed as model schools featuring green campus infrastructure, smart classrooms, digital libraries, modern laboratories, sports facilities, and career counseling services.
Teachers in these schools will also receive specialized training through higher educational institutions. The government plans to introduce holistic report cards to monitor the academic and overall development of students.
150 Vivekananda Excellence Schools in Rural Areas
To improve access to quality education in rural areas, the government has announced the establishment of 150 Swami Vivekananda Excellence Schools. The project has been allocated ₹100 crore in the budget and aims to provide high-quality education facilities in rural blocks across the state.
These schools are expected to significantly enhance educational opportunities for students in rural regions by offering modern teaching resources and infrastructure comparable to urban institutions.
Education Cities Planned for Bastar Region
In an effort to expand educational infrastructure in remote tribal areas, the government plans to establish Education Cities in the Bastar division. The proposed locations include Orchha, Narayanpur, and Jagargunda.
A provision of ₹9.5 crore has been made for the initiative, which aims to bring quality education infrastructure closer to students in forested and tribal regions, enabling them to connect with mainstream education.
Major Infrastructure Development
The government has also prioritized strengthening school infrastructure. A budget allocation of ₹105.20 crore has been made for the construction and maintenance of school buildings. Under this initiative, 500 primary schools, 100 middle schools, 50 high schools, and 50 higher secondary schools will receive new buildings or upgrades.
Additionally, a modern administrative composite building for the School Education Department will be constructed in Naya Raipur with an initial allocation of ₹5.9 crore. The complex will house key offices including the Directorate of Public Instruction, Samagra Shiksha, the Sanskrit Board, Madrasa Board, Education Commission, Textbook Corporation, and the Board of Secondary Education.
Also read- https://www.btnewsindia.com/collector-inspects-modern-space-lab-and-planetarium-at-dr-padumlal-punnalal-bakshi-school-in-rajnandgaon/ https://www.btnewsindia.com/₹1823-crore-budget-approved-for-departments-led-by-minister-lakhan-lal-dewangan-in-chhattisgarh-assembly/
Recruitment of 5,000 Teachers
To address the shortage of teaching staff in government schools, the state government has announced direct recruitment for 5,000 teaching posts. In addition, the promotion process for more than 4,000 existing posts will also be initiated. Recruitment examinations are expected to be conducted in October and November 2026.
Mid-Day Meals for 30 Lakh Students
The state has allocated ₹700 crore under the PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana to provide nutritious mid-day meals to approximately 3 million students studying in government and aided schools as well as registered madrasas across the state. The government also plans to encourage kitchen gardens in schools to ensure the availability of fresh and nutritious food.
Digital Monitoring and Smart Classrooms
Chhattisgarh is also expanding digital governance in education. Through the Vidya Samiksha Kendra and HRMIS portal, the online attendance of nearly 1.8 lakh teachers is being monitored. Plans are underway to introduce digital mark sheets and transfer certificates with QR codes and unique IDs for secure verification.
Under the PM e‑Vidya program, subject-wise lessons for classes 9 to 12 are being broadcast through DTH channels. Six subjects are telecast daily with multiple repeats to ensure wider access. The government is also planning to launch a mobile application for two-way interaction between teachers and students.
Smart classrooms equipped with projectors and internet facilities are being expanded to enable video-based learning. Experts will also conduct interactive classes through video conferencing to support students in different subjects.
Focus on Sports and Co-Curricular Activities
The government plans to introduce yoga education and expand activities such as NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, and Red Cross programs in schools. Sports will be made compulsory during the last period of the school day, and physical training will be provided to help students prepare for recruitment under the Agniveer scheme in the armed forces.
Additional Welfare Schemes
The budget also includes several student welfare initiatives, including ₹800 crore for Swami Atmanand Government Schools, ₹300 crore for fee reimbursement under the Right to Education Act, ₹236.5 crore for scholarship programs, ₹55 crore for free uniforms, ₹50 crore for free textbooks, and ₹66 crore under the Saraswati Free Bicycle Scheme.
Officials say the comprehensive investment is expected to transform the state’s education landscape by strengthening infrastructure, improving teaching quality, and expanding access to digital and modern learning systems.
