The government has allowed over 2500 Scheduled Castes (SCs) students into private schools through the SHRESHTA initiative. SHRESHTA (Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas) is a new plan approved by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

About SHRESHTA Scheme

SHRESHTA is the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in Targeted Area High Schools.
It aims to create an atmosphere that promotes the socioeconomic advancement of Scheduled Castes (SCs).
The programme will be conducted in grant-in-aid institutions managed by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Residential high schools.

Schooling in State Board-Affiliated Private Residential Schools/CBSE

Meritorious students can apply for admission to a few private CBSE and State Board schools under the SHRESHTA scheme.
These students will be chosen by the National Testing Agency's (NTA) National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS).
Selected children will be admitted to private residential schools in the ninth and eleventh grades.

Eligibility

Students from Scheduled Castes studying in classes 8th and 10th are eligible to participate in the scheme.
SC students with an annual income of up to Rs.2.5 lakh from a marginalised income level are eligible.
The selection will occur through a transparent process known as the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS).

Features of the scheme

Students who enlist in this system will have their entire tuition (tuition fees) and hostel expenses (mess charges) waived.
The policy also covers the cost of the bridge course, which is equal to 10% of the annual fee.
The Ministry of Education will continually monitor the progress of these kids under the initiative.