Manipur’s School Education Funding Under Samagra Shiksha Rises 11.95% After Sharp 2025-26 Cut

Imphal, August 10: Manipur’s approved central funding for elementary education under the Samagra Shiksha scheme has increased by 11.95% in 2026-27 after a sharp reduction in the previous financial year, according to state-wise financial details of the Union Ministry of Education.

The allocation for Manipur has risen from Rs 13,177.27 lakh in 2025-26 to Rs 14,752.61 lakh in 2026-27, an increase of Rs 1,575.34 lakh.

However, the latest allocation remains substantially below the levels approved in the two years preceding the 2025-26 cut. In 2024-25, Manipur had received an approved allocation of Rs 41,539.69 lakh, the highest among the four years covered by the data.

Funding rose before the sharp 2025-26 reduction

The four-year figures show that Manipur’s Samagra Shiksha allocation did not decline continuously. Instead, funding increased between 2023-24 and 2024-25 before falling sharply in 2025-26.

The allocation increased by around 18.1% between 2023-24 and 2024-25, from Rs 35,185.07 lakh to Rs 41,539.69 lakh.

It then fell by about 68.3% in 2025-26, when the approved allocation dropped to Rs 13,177.27 lakh.

The current year's allocation represents a partial recovery from that sharp reduction but remains around 64.5% below the 2024-25 level.

Approval does not mean automatic release

Under Samagra Shiksha, states and Union Territories prepare their Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) based on their education requirements and priorities.

These proposals are subsequently appraised by the Project Approval Board (PAB), which determines the approved plans and allocations.

However, the amount approved by the PAB is not necessarily released to a state in full.

The Ministry of Education has stated that fund releases depend on several factors, including the pace of actual expenditure by the state, receipt of the corresponding state share and submission of audited accounts and utilisation certificates for previous years.

Updated expenditure statements and the settlement of outstanding advances are also considered before further releases are made.

Unspent balances can affect subsequent releases

The Ministry has also pointed out that some states do not receive their entire approved instalments because of slow expenditure.

Unspent balances from previous years are taken into account while processing subsequent releases.

Consequently, the approved allocation for Manipur in 2026-27 should not automatically be interpreted as the amount that will ultimately reach the state during the financial year.

The actual release will depend on financial compliance, expenditure progress and fulfilment of the conditions prescribed under the Samagra Shiksha framework.

PRABANDH tracks financial and physical progress

Implementation of Samagra Shiksha interventions in Manipur is monitored through the PRABANDH (Project Appraisal, Budgeting, Achievements and Data Handling) system.

The online platform allows the Department of School Education and Literacy to monitor physical and financial progress under different interventions.

A monthly data-visualisation dashboard is used to track expenditure, while regular review meetings with state officials are conducted to assess implementation.

The monitoring mechanism provides the Centre with updated information on expenditure and progress under the scheme and can help identify areas where implementation or utilisation of funds is lagging.

Current allocation still far below recent peak

The 2026-27 allocation marks a modest improvement over the sharply reduced figure of 2025-26. But in absolute terms, Manipur's approved central funding remains well below the levels seen in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The difference is particularly pronounced when the current allocation is compared with the 2024-25 peak of Rs 41,539.69 lakh. At Rs 14,752.61 lakh, the 2026-27 allocation is roughly one-third of that amount.

The latest figures therefore present two distinct trends: a sharp reduction in 2025-26 followed by an 11.95% recovery in 2026-27.

The eventual utilisation and release of the approved funds will depend on the state’s expenditure pace, its contribution to the required state share and compliance with financial reporting and documentation requirements under Samagra Shiksha.