SHRESHTA Scheme Full Guide 2025–26: NETS, Admissions, Eligibility & Mandatory Instructions

The SHRESHTA Scheme is an important initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) designed to improve access to high-quality secondary education for meritorious Scheduled Caste (SC) students.

The primary goal is to uplift SC communities by ensuring that bright students gain entry into the best-performing private residential schools across India.

Important Dates

Latest Urgent Government Instruction (July 2025)

The Ministry has issued an urgent notice to all SHRESHTA schools reiterating:

No fees must be collected from SHRESHTA students under any circumstances.

Schools cannot charge for:

• Admission fee
• Uniform
• Books & stationery
• Medical charges
• Security deposit
• Picnic / activity fee
• Exam fee
• Hostel deposit
• Miscellaneous charges

All allowable costs are reimbursed by the Government based on:

Actual charges levied by the school OR the maximum limit given in the scheme — whichever is lower.

Failure to comply will lead to:

Strict action through CBSE against the school.

Objective of SHRESHTA Scheme

The core objectives include:

• Providing equal access to quality education for SC students.
• Opening opportunities in the best CBSE and state board residential schools.
• Supporting education in service-deficit SC-dominant areas.
• Continuing financial support through Post-Matric Scholarship or Top-Class Education Scheme after Class 12.
• Empowering SC communities through long-term educational upliftment.

Modes of Operation

The scheme is implemented in two modes.

Mode 1: SHRESHTA Schools (Best Private Residential Schools)

This is the primary and most impactful component.

Key features:

• Students are selected through NETS (National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA).
• Schools are chosen based on their academic performance and infrastructure.
• All costs are reimbursed by the Government.

Mode 2: NGO-Operated Schools/Hostels

These schools:

• Must be run by reputed NGOs, CSR foundations, or educational institutions.
• Should have State Government recognition & Board affiliation.
• Are funded under specific grant-in-aid rules.
• Must maintain attendance and performance as per PMU checks.

Selection of Schools (Mode 1)

Private residential schools are selected based on:

Eligibility Criteria for Schools

• Minimum 5 years of existence.
• More than 75% pass percentage in Class 10 and 12 for the last 3 years.
• Adequate infrastructure to admit at least 10 SC students in Classes 9 and 11 combined.
• Must be affiliated to:
  • CBSE
  • State Boards
  • Any recognized educational board

Schools NOT Eligible

• Government-funded schools like:
  • NVS
  • EMRS (under 100% quota)
  • KGBV
  • State Government schools
• Schools funded under:
  • PM-AJAY
  • Samagra Shiksha
  • PM SHRI

Selection Committee

A committee chaired by the Joint Secretary (MoSJE) finalizes school selection each year.

Student Eligibility Criteria

To apply for SHRESHTA:

For Class 9 Admission

• Must have passed Class 8 in the previous year.

For Class 11 Admission

• Must have passed Class 10 in the previous year.

Other Requirements

• Must belong to the Scheduled Caste category.
• Annual parental income ≤ Rs. 2.5 lakh.
• Must upload valid Caste and Income Certificates during counselling.
• Should not be receiving benefits under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme.

National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS)

NETS is a nationwide entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Key Features:

• Conducted across India.
• Merit-based selection.
• Students choose schools through a web counselling system.
• Multiple rounds of counselling ensure all seats are filled.

Number of Seats Available (2023–24 to 2025–26)

Fresh Seats per Year

If seats remain unfilled in one class category, they may be reallocated to the other.

Admission Rules for Schools

Once a student selects a school through counselling:

The school must admit the student without any additional test.

No fee must be charged from the student.

The Ministry releases reimbursement to the school within 30 days of admission confirmation on the IT portal.

Hostel Facility Mandatory

Every SHRESHTA school must provide:

• Safe hostel accommodation
• Mess facilities
• Counsellor support
• A teacher mentor to resolve student issues

Bridge Course Support

Many SHRESHTA students come from under-resourced schools, so a Bridge Course is allowed.

Bridge Course Features

• Conducted outside normal school hours.
• Tailored to each student’s requirements.
• Can continue for up to 3 months.
• Schools receive up to 10% of the annual fee separately for it.

Scholarship Amount (Fee Reimbursement Limits)

The scholarship covers both tuition fee and hostel fee.

Annual Scholarship per Student

Key Rule:

Reimbursement = Actual fee charged by school OR the prescribed limit — whichever is lower.

Important: Schools cannot charge any extra fees from SHRESHTA students.

Scholarship is released in one installment to the school through e-Anudaan.

Monitoring & Accountability

The Ministry closely monitors:

• Student performance
• Attendance
• School compliance
• Fee collection reports
• Adherence to scheme guidelines

If a student drops out:

• School must immediately inform the Government.
• Any unused fee must be refunded to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Ministry’s Warning to Schools (July 2025)

Due to multiple complaints from students and parents, the Ministry emphasized:

No school participating in SHRESHTA 2025–26 can demand any amount from students.

Any violation will lead to strict action through CBSE.

Schools must follow all guidelines without deviation.

This includes:

• No deposits
• No admission fees
• No charges for uniforms/books
• No hidden charges

Consent Requirement for Schools (March 2025 Circular)

Schools must:

• Submit consent via the official Google Form.
• Specify stream-wise seat availability for Class 9 and Class 11.
• Understand that once seats are offered:
  • They are final.
  • The school cannot withdraw from the scheme.

This ensures smooth NETS counselling and timely admissions.

Financial Support for NGO-Run Schools (Mode 2)

Grants are provided based on:

• Residential or non-residential nature
• Class level of the student
• Attendance percentage

Grant Limits Per SC Student

Attendance-linked grant rules are followed as per PMU inspection.

Important Compliance Responsibilities for Schools

Schools participating in SHRESHTA must:

• Admit students strictly based on NETS merit.
• Not conduct separate entrance tests.
• Not charge any fees from students.
• Provide hostel accommodation.
• Conduct a Bridge Course if needed.
• Appoint a counsellor for student support.
• Maintain attendance and academic standards.
• Upload utilisation certificates yearly.
• Participate honestly in government inspections.

Direct Benefit Transfer Through e-Anudaan Portal

All processes including:

• School registration
• Fee reimbursement
• Scholarship disbursement
• Monitoring
• Documentation

are carried out through the e-Anudaan portal, ensuring transparency.

What Students & Parents Should Know

SHRESHTA education is completely FREE.

No school can demand any money, not even for uniforms, books, or medical.

Report any violation to Ministry of Social Justice immediately.

Scholarships go directly to the school, not to parents.

Students must have valid caste & income certificates.

Consequence of Non-Compliance by Schools

If a school violates guidelines:

• CBSE may take disciplinary action.
• School may be removed from SHRESHTA scheme.
• Future admissions may be cancelled.
• Grants may be withheld or withdrawn.