AP Samagra Shiksha DICE Program in 181 PM Shri Schools::Andhra Pradesh Samagra Shiksha official proceedings regarding the implementation of the Developing Innovation Culture and Entrepreneurship (DICE) initiative in 181 PM SHRI Schools through School Innovation Councils (SICs) for the academic year 2026-27, with budget allocation, appointment of Nodal Officers, key activity timelines, and instructions to RJDs, DEOs, and APCs.
AP Samagra Shiksha DICE Program in 181 PM Shri Schools through SICs, Detailed Guidelines
SS-15/14/2026-SAMO-SSA
| Rc.No. | SS-15/14/2026-SAMO-SSA | Dated: 31-08-2026 |
| Sub: | Samagra Shiksha, Andhra Pradesh - PM SHRI Schools - Implementation of Developing Innovation Culture and Entrepreneurship (DICE) initiative through School Innovation Councils (SICs) - Instructions - Issued. |
| Read: | D.O. Letter No. 1-13/2026-SS.19, dated 27.08.2026 of the Director, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, New Delhi. |
ORDER:
The attention of all the Regional Joint Directors of School Education, District Educational Officers and Additional Project Coordinators, Samagra Shiksha, Andhra Pradesh, is invited to the reference read above, and they are informed that the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell (MIC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), has introduced the Developing Innovation Culture and Entrepreneurship (DICE) initiative in PM SHRI Schools with the objective of promoting Ideation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) among students and teachers.
Further, the DICE initiative envisages mentoring and handholding support to PM SHRI Schools through nearby Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and strengthening of School Innovation Councils (SICs). The initiative aims to promote creative thinking, problem solving, prototype development, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) awareness and entrepreneurial skills among students.
Further, it is informed that, as per the PAB recommendations for the year 2026-27, 181 PM SHRI Schools in Andhra Pradesh have been approved under the DICE initiative with a recommended amount of ₹224.44 lakh. The budget approved for Andhra Pradesh is ₹1.24 lakh per school. The DICE initiative comprises the following five major activities:
- Developing Entrepreneurial Skills;
- Field Visit and Idea Creation - Invite Ideas from Students;
- Development of Proof of Concept / Prototype Business Model by Students;
- Session on Entrepreneurship and Start-up Support Ecosystem and Intellectual Property Rights; and
- Demo Day / Exhibition of Prototype developed by the Students and submission of Ideas for the School Innovation Contest.
In this regard, the Activity Calendar for the academic year 2026-27 provides for commencement of the first two activities during September 2026, followed by development of Proof of Concept/Prototype/Business Models during October-November 2026. The concerned authorities shall ensure that the activities are conducted as per the prescribed schedule.
In order to ensure effective coordination, implementation and monitoring of the DICE initiative in the State, Dr. M.R.Prasanna kumaru, Director, SIEMAT, SNO PM SHRI is hereby appointed as the State Nodal Officer for the DICE Programme in Andhra Pradesh.
Further, the Sri P. Ramesh Kumar, Lecturer, SIEMAT is hereby nominated as programme coordinator and is requested to coordinate with the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell, AICTE, mentoring HEIs and the concerned State/District-level officials for effective implementation and monitoring of the DICE initiative.
Therefore, all the Regional Joint Directors of School Education, District Educational Officers and Additional Project Coordinators, Samagra Shiksha, Andhra Pradesh, are hereby requested to ensure effective coordination and timely implementation of the DICE initiative in all the 181 approved/mapped PM SHRI Schools in the State. They shall ensure the following:
| a. | All concerned PM SHRI Schools are informed about the DICE initiative and the approved Activity Calendar. |
| b. | Effective establishment/operationalisation and functioning of School Innovation Councils (SICs) in the concerned PM SHRI Schools. |
| c. | Proper coordination between the PM SHRI Schools and the mapped mentoring Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). |
| d. | Participation of students and teachers in all the five DICE activities as per the prescribed schedule. |
| e. | Students are encouraged to identify real-world problems and develop innovative and practical solutions through experiential learning. |
| f. | Students are provided with necessary mentoring support from the concerned HEIs for development of Proof of Concept, Prototypes and Business Models. |
| g. | PM SHRI Schools are facilitated to participate in Innovation Contests and other innovation-related programmes. |
| h. | Activity reports and supporting documents are uploaded/submitted through the prescribed SIC/DICE Portal. |
| i. | The progress of DICE activities is closely monitored at the district level, and any issues or bottlenecks are brought to the notice of the State Nodal Officer for necessary action. |
| j. | Bills and supporting documents are submitted and processed in a timely manner through the prescribed SNA-SPARSH mechanism, wherever applicable. |
| k. | The District Level Exhibition/Demo Day is conducted effectively, and the selected student innovations are properly showcased. |
| l. | District-wise records of the activities conducted, participating schools, students, teachers, prototypes developed and other relevant outcomes are maintained for monitoring and review. |
| m. | The concerned District Educational Officers and Additional Project Coordinators, Samagra Shiksha, shall extend necessary cooperation and support to the State Nodal Officer and the mentoring HEIs for smooth implementation of the DICE initiative. |
| n. | Any difficulties encountered in the implementation of the DICE activities shall be brought to the notice of the State Nodal Officer promptly for appropriate action and resolution. |
| o. | The above instructions shall be followed scrupulously to ensure timely and effective implementation of the DICE initiative in all the approved/mapped PM SHRI Schools of Andhra Pradesh. |
| p. | The concerned PM SHRI School heads are hereby requested to join in you tube link schedule at 3.00 pm on 01-09-2026 on the above programme. |
