SHRESHTA: Residential Education Scheme for High School Students

In 2022, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the SRESHTA Scheme for the betterment of students in high school. This scheme aimed to provide grants to the underprivileged Scheduled Caste students from the targeted areas with quality education in residential schools. Through this scheme, the main goal of the government is to provide deserving SC students with seats in private government schools in the country. Recently, the implementing authority, i.e., the Dept. of Social Justice and Empowerment released the revised scheme updates for 2023-24 and onwards. 

Objectives of the SHRESHTA Scheme:

1. To provide an overall socio-economic upliftment of SCs through better learning opportunities. 

2. To boost the reach of development initiatives by the government in marginalized areas.

3. To fill the accessibility gap in SC-dominated regions, in the education sector. 

Mode of Implementation:

The scheme will be implemented in two modes; Through SHRESHTA CBSE Schools, and VO/NGO Operated schools, offering residential education. The respective schools will be offered a grant-in-aid to implement the scheme and admit the students, upon fulfilling the basic conditions of maintaining good academic quality, having adequate Infrastructure, and recognition from state governments with affiliation to state/central boards. 

The number of students to be selected for this scheme is fixed for the three consecutive academic years, as below.

Benefits of the SHRESHTA Scheme for residential higher education:

1. This residential education scheme by the government ensures around 3000 marginalized SC students get access to quality education during the prime years of their schooling, i.e., 9th to 12th class.

2. Through this scheme, the government will disburse school and hostel fees directly to the chosen Institutes, thereby eliminating the financial burden on parents.

3. Specific provisions for bridge courses have been proposed under the SHRESHTA scheme to ensure students joining in the mid-session can study the topics covered so far. 

4. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment will take care of the fees of bridge courses i.e., 10% of annual tuition fees.

5. Students get the right to choose their preferred school upon clearing the NETS (National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA). 

Eligible students under the SHRESHTA Scheme:

1. Only Scheduled Caste (SC) students, studying in recognized institutions (Private or government, or any local body) will be eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme.

2. For students applying for admission in class 9th, they must have cleared the 8th class in the year immediately preceding the application year. 

3. For students applying for admission to class 11th, they must have cleared class 10th in the year right before the application year. 

4. The parental income of the selected students must not be more than Rs. 2.5 lakh/year.

5. Students must submit caste/Income certificates to be uploaded as per guidelines before scheduled web counselling. 

How to apply to the SHRESHTA scheme?

The only mode of application to this scheme is through the NETS Portal which is organised by the National Testing Agency/NTA. 

For More Details, click on the given link Here.

In a nutshell, for meritorious students across India, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has come up with this scheme for students, named Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas, or SHRESHTA Scheme. The goal is to provide them with an opportunity to avail good quality higher education, by partnering with SHRESHTA CBSE Schools or VO/NGO schools. This scheme can certainly help Increase the levels of education in otherwise backward parts of the country, ensuring better and brighter brains come forward to contribute to the future of India.