After the Delhi government’s CM Shri Schools and the Centre’s PM Shri Schools, it is now the MCD’s turn. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has officially launched 24 Nigam Shri Vidyalayas — premium, modern schools designed to transform civic education in Delhi. Here is everything parents, students and residents need to know.
What Are Nigam Shri Schools?
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has given its in-principle approval to launch Nigam Shri Schools — premium, modern schools specifically designed for meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections.
The Nigam Shri Schools are modelled on the Centre’s PM Shri Schools and the Delhi government’s CM Shri Schools, with admissions focused on meritorious students. MCD Education Committee Chairman Yogesh Verma described the initiative clearly: “Through Nigam Shri Schools, our aim is to bring municipal schools at par with the best institutions by providing modern infrastructure and quality education to every child.”
The programme was officially announced in January 2026 by Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, and formal approval was granted at a subsequent Education Committee meeting chaired by Verma.
First Phase — 24 Schools Across Delhi’s Zones
In the first phase, 24 schools will be developed as Nigam Shri Schools, expected to start from the upcoming academic session.
The distribution is structured as two Nigam Shri Schools per MCD zone — ensuring geographic spread across Delhi’s different zones rather than concentration in any one part of the city.
This phased approach mirrors how PM Shri and CM Shri schools were rolled out — beginning with a defined number of pilot institutions, building proof of concept, and then scaling.
| Phase | Schools | Zones Covered |
| Phase 1 (2026-27) | 24 schools | 2 per MCD zone |
| Subsequent phases | To be announced | Expansion planned |
Who Are These Schools For? — Focus on EWS Meritorious Students
This is the defining characteristic of Nigam Shri Schools that sets them apart from regular MCD primary schools.
These schools are designed for meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS). The idea is to create an academically competitive environment within the civic school system — identifying talented children from low-income families and providing them with infrastructure and educational quality comparable to top private schools.
The MCD has also published a list of 500 talented student-athletes from Class 5 of MCD schools on its website, inviting other schools to offer these students admission — a direct pipeline from MCD’s primary schools to better secondary education.
Facilities — What Nigam Shri Schools Will Offer
The 24 Nigam Shri Schools will be equipped with modern facilities across multiple categories:
| Facility Type | Details |
| Smart Classrooms | Digital learning tools, interactive panels |
| Libraries | Updated book collections and reading spaces |
| Sanitation | Improved and well-maintained toilet blocks |
| Drinking Water | Safe, clean drinking water infrastructure |
| Security | Enhanced campus security systems |
| Sports Infrastructure | Dedicated sports facilities for students |
| Green Initiatives | Eco-friendly campus features |
The infrastructure blueprint closely follows the PM Shri and CM Shri school model — which at the Delhi government level already includes AI-enabled classrooms, ICT labs, digital libraries, robotics labs and career counselling portals.
₹45 Crore Approved for MCD School Repairs
Alongside the Nigam Shri Schools announcement, the MCD Education Committee approved ₹45 crore for the repair and maintenance of existing municipal schools.
The funds will be used for:
- General repair and maintenance of MCD school buildings
- Maintenance of restrooms and sanitation facilities
- Other essential infrastructure work across the civic school network
The committee also reviewed the Mid-Day Meal scheme and ordered action against NGOs found negligent in maintaining food quality — a concurrent focus on both infrastructure and student welfare.
Additionally, funds have been transferred to students who were yet to receive financial assistance for uniforms and stationery.
New Web App for MCD School Parents
In a significant digital step, the MCD Education Department simultaneously launched a web application enabling parents to access student information from home.
With the help of QR codes, parents will be able to scan and access information regarding school-related activities — attendance, academic progress, school events and important notices — from the comfort of their homes.
This is part of a broader push towards digital and infrastructure reform in civic education, moving MCD schools closer to the technology-enabled parent communication systems that top private schools already offer.
New ₹12.5 Crore School in Karol Bagh — Already Inaugurated
Alongside the Nigam Shri announcement, MCD also recently inaugurated a newly constructed primary school in the Karol Bagh zone, built at a cost of ₹12.5 crore.
Key facts about the newly inaugurated school:
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Prem Nagar, near Gaushala Park, Baljit Nagar ward |
| Zone | Karol Bagh |
| Campus Size | Nearly 2 acres |
| Classrooms | 20 classrooms |
| Additional Rooms | 14 additional rooms |
| Special Facilities | Multipurpose hall, adequate sanitation, green and recreational spaces |
| Cost | ₹12.5 crore |
Leader of the House Pravesh Wahi said the newly constructed school reflects the civic body’s commitment to improving education standards, pushing back on the perception that private school teachers are inherently superior.
The Three-Tier “Shri” School Ecosystem in Delhi
Delhi now has a coordinated three-tier school excellence programme across different governing bodies:
| Programme | Authority | No. of Schools | Focus |
| PM Shri Schools | Central Government (MoE) | Nationwide | Model public schools aligned with NEP 2020 |
| CM Shri Schools | Delhi Government (DoE) | 75 in Delhi | High excellence, research & innovation |
| Nigam Shri Schools | MCD | 24 (Phase 1) | EWS meritorious students in civic schools |
Together, these three programmes aim to ensure that no child in Delhi — whether studying in a central, state or civic school — is denied access to quality, modern education purely because of financial background.
Scholarships for Meritorious MCD Students
At the same event where Nigam Shri Schools were formally announced, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh disbursed ₹1,000 scholarships to 500 meritorious MCD students, sponsored by Sungrow Company.
Education Committee Chairman Yogesh Verma also released a brochure highlighting the achievements of the MCD Education Department over the past year.
Context — Why MCD Schools Matter in Delhi
The MCD manages one of the largest networks of primary schools in any Indian city. A significant portion of Delhi’s working-class and lower-income families depend on MCD schools for their children’s primary education. Any upgrade to this network directly impacts lakhs of children across Delhi — particularly in dense, lower-income neighbourhoods where private school fees are unaffordable.
The Nigam Shri initiative represents a recognition that identifying and nurturing talent within this population — and giving meritorious children from EWS backgrounds access to genuinely good infrastructure — is both an education priority and a social equity priority.
MCD Nigam Shri Schools Delhi 2026 — FAQs
Q. What are Nigam Shri Schools?
Premium model schools launched by the MCD, modelled on PM Shri and CM Shri schools, designed specifically for meritorious students from economically weaker sections studying in Delhi’s municipal school system.
Q. How many Nigam Shri Schools are being launched?
24 schools in the first phase — two per MCD zone across Delhi.
Q. When will Nigam Shri Schools start?
The 24 schools are expected to start from the 2026-27 academic session.
Q. What facilities will Nigam Shri Schools have?
Smart classrooms, digital learning tools, libraries, improved sanitation, safe drinking water, enhanced security, sports infrastructure and green initiatives.
Q. Who is eligible for Nigam Shri School admission?
The schools are designed for meritorious students from economically weaker sections (EWS) currently studying in MCD schools.
Q. How much did MCD approve for school repairs?
₹45 crore was approved for the repair of municipal schools, restroom maintenance and essential infrastructure work.
Q. What is the new MCD web app for parents?
A web application allowing parents to scan QR codes and access information about school activities, attendance and student progress from home.
Q. What is the difference between CM Shri and Nigam Shri Schools?
CM Shri Schools are run by the Delhi government (DoE) across 75 upgraded government schools, with entrance-based admissions for Class 6, 9 and 11. Nigam Shri Schools are run by the MCD — the civic body — targeting EWS meritorious students in municipal primary schools.
