Bhupendra Singh, once the only primary teacher for 42 students far from home in Sehore district, now works at a CM Rise school closer to his residence. He cleared the CM Rise exam which tests government teachers for placement in better schools. The exam, held annually since 2021, is organised by the Directorate of Public Instruction and evaluates subject knowledge, interviews, and past work. Teachers like Singh gain access to improved facilities but must meet strict eligibility including TET and D.Ed qualifications. The CM Rise schools follow a new 1:30 pupil-teacher ratio, replacing older staffing rules. Madhya Pradesh is closing nearly 30,000 government schools over five years and opening about 369 CM Rise schools with better resources. In April 2025, these schools were renamed Sandipani Vidyalayas. Critics argue school closures hurt rural students, risking higher dropouts due to travel and economic challenges. Teachers who fail the test face transfers to distant or less resourced schools, as in the case of Jaiti Kushwaha. Despite clearing the exam, she was not posted to a CM Rise school due to limited seats and must travel long hours. She says exam results do not fully show teaching ability and remains hopeful for future chances. Attempts to get official responses from education directors were redirected. This shift reflects Madhya Pradesh’s efforts to reshape public education through merit-based teacher recruitment and school consolidation.