SHRESHTA for SCs

Historically, Scheduled Castes (SCs) have been among the most educationally and socially disadvantaged communities in India. Despite numerous affirmative action policies, geographical and institutional gaps still exist — especially in service-deficient regions.

The SHRESHTA scheme is a conscious attempt by the Government of India to correct this developmental imbalance, by placing meritorious SC students in high-quality private residential schools. The idea is: if a child from a marginalized community gets the right educational ecosystem, they can break the cycle of deprivation in just one generation.

Quick Facts

Aspect	Details
Full Form	Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas
Target Group	SC students currently studying in Class 8 or Class 10
Purpose	To support meritorious SC boys and girls by placing them in top private residential schools
Annual Income Limit	₹2.5 lakh (with preference below ₹1 lakh)
Tenure	2022–23 to 2025–26
Total Seats	Around 3,000 seats/year (Classes 9 and 11)
Cost Coverage	Entire school fees + residential charges paid by the Government

Objectives of SHRESHTA

The scheme serves three integrated objectives:

1. Extend the reach of government’s educational interventions to service-deficient SC-majority areas.
2. Bridge the quality gap by sending SC students to well-performing private institutions.
3. Create an enabling environment for socio-economic upliftment through quality education, dignity, and opportunity.

Modes of Implementation

The scheme has two distinct implementation modes, depending on the type of institution involved:

Mode	Institutions Covered	Key Focus
Mode 1	Best CBSE-affiliated private residential schools	National-level entrance and school placement
Mode 2	Schools run by Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)	Trusted NGOs with a proven record in SC education

Mode 1: CBSE Private Residential Schools

This is the more competitive and structured arm of the scheme.

✅ Eligibility of Students

• Currently studying in Class 8th or 10th
• Must qualify a national-level entrance test

✅ Entrance Process

• NETS: National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency)
• Selection is merit-based and done in a transparent and standardized manner.

✅ Role of District Administration

• Acts as the implementing agency
• Coordinates selection, documentation, and admission

✅ Benefits for Selected Students

• Admission into top CBSE residential schools
• Provision of a Bridge Course by schools to help SC students cope with academic and cultural adjustment
• All expenses — tuition, lodging, boarding, and study materials — are borne by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

✅ Eligibility of Participating Schools

• Minimum 5 years of operational experience
• Consistent board results: At least 75% pass percentage in Classes 10 and 12 over the last 3 years
• Must have adequate infrastructure to absorb SC students without compromising existing quality

✅ Fund Disbursal

• Funds are directly released to schools through e-Anudaan Portal of the Ministry

Mode 2: NGO/Voluntary Organisation-Run Schools

This mode acknowledges the role of non-government actors in promoting quality education for SC children.

✅ Eligibility of Institutions

• Registered as not-for-profit
• Must have verifiable credentials — a working website, track record in school education, etc.

✅ Funding Mechanism

• Financial assistance is transferred electronically to the NGO’s bank account
• NGOs are responsible for running the schools, selecting beneficiaries, and reporting outcomes

Special Focus and Priorities

• Priority given to:
  • Students with parental income less than ₹1 lakh
  • Physically disabled SC students

This reflects an inclusive design to ensure intersections of vulnerability (caste, poverty, disability) are all addressed.

Conclusion: Why SHRESHTA is a Strategic Scheme

The SHRESHTA scheme stands out for three reasons:

1. Corrective Justice: It addresses not just poverty but also educational backwardness in SC-dominated areas.
2. Merit-Oriented: Through the NETS exam, it identifies talented students who deserve better educational environments.
3. Outcome-Focused: It integrates quality assurance, infrastructure standards, and direct fund transfer to ensure transparent and effective implementation.

📌 Final Thought

This is not just about sponsoring a student’s education — it is about giving a young life the power to dream, the ecosystem to grow, and the dignity to rise. In this way, SHRESHTA aligns beautifully with the constitutional promise of equality and social justice — by using education as the most powerful weapon of transformation.