Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is a comprehensive plan to provide free education to all children in the age group 6-14 years. It was launched in 2001 with an initial outlay of Rs.7,000 crore. This brief presents the salient features of the scheme and highlights its impact on elementary and primary education to date.

SSA aims to provide universal access to elementary education to children aged six to fourteen years. After four years of the launch of the scheme and with more than 85 percent of the funds spent, 40 percent of children remain out of school. The deadline for achieving universal primary education was extended from 2010 to 2012.