Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal denied SSA funds for FY24-25, Uttar Pradesh receives highest allocation
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Opposition-ruled states Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have received no financial support from the Union government under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSA) for the financial year 2024-25, according to Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary.
The disclosure was made in response to a query raised by CPI(M) MP John Brittas in the Rajya Sabha.
Despite having approved central allocations of ₹328.90 crore for Kerala, ₹2,151.60 crore for Tamil Nadu, and ₹1,745.80 crore for West Bengal, no funds were released to these states as of March 27, 2025, according to data reported by The Hindu.
From the overall central allocation of ₹45,830.21 crore meant for 36 states, ₹27,833.50 crore had been disbursed by the same date - excluding the opposition - led states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
In contrast, BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh emerged as the largest beneficiary, securing ₹4,487.46 crore under the scheme.
The situation is particularly notable for Tamil Nadu, which is currently at odds with the Union government over its opposition to the three-language formula proposed by the National Education Policy (NEP).
This pattern of withholding funds is not new.
Last year, the BJP-led central government halted SSA funds to states such as Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal after they refused to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme.
