Srinagar, Aug 10: The Centre has sharply reduced its allocation for elementary education in Jammu & Kashmir under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, with the provision falling to Rs 633.53 crore for 2026-27.
The allocation represents a decline of nearly 38 per cent from Rs 1,017.75 crore sanctioned for 2025-26. It is also significantly lower than the Rs 1,180.11 crore allocated in 2024-25 and Rs 1,234.55 crore in 2023-24.
The figures were placed before the Lok Sabha by Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi in response to a starred question concerning the allocation and utilisation of funds for primary education.
For 2026-27, J&K’s allocation is considerably lower than that of several major states. Maharashtra has been allocated Rs 1,744.65 crore, while Uttar Pradesh has received Rs 8,898.96 crore. Bihar has been allocated Rs 5,970.76 crore and Rajasthan Rs 3,081.48 crore.
The Centre said allocations under Samagra Shiksha depend on approved annual plans, expenditure levels and compliance with financial requirements. It also pointed to unspent balances from previous years while determining the release of subsequent funds.
According to the government, some states and Union Territories are unable to receive all instalments because of slower spending. Further releases are linked to requirements such as audited accounts, utilisation certificates, updated expenditure details and the release of the corresponding state share.
The Ministry also highlighted the PRABANDH system, which tracks the implementation and expenditure of Samagra Shiksha programmes. Its dashboard records monthly physical and financial progress, while the Ministry conducts regular reviews with states and UTs.
At the national level, spending on infrastructure under the scheme increased from Rs 1,962.77 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 2,871.95 crore in 2025-26. Expenditure on teacher salaries, however, stood at Rs 17,234.40 crore and Rs 13,508.69 crore during the respective years.
Spending on free textbooks declined from Rs 2,551.33 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 2,353.23 crore in 2025-26. Expenditure on free uniforms increased marginally from Rs 3,845.93 crore to Rs 3,871.02 crore.
The government also informed Parliament that Education Cess collections increased from Rs 63,252.86 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 65,890.50 crore in 2025-26.
It said the cess is outside the divisible pool of taxes and is therefore not shared between the Centre and states under Article 270 of the Constitution. Education-related proceeds are routed through the Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh and the Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh.
Utilisation from the Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh rose from Rs 40,900 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 48,049.09 crore in 2025-26. Utilisation from the Madhyamik and Uchchtar Shiksha Kosh stood at Rs 11,162.60 crore and Rs 10,314.31 crore respectively during the two years.I can also make this more newspaper-style with a sharper lead and stronger J&K angle.
