Govt ‘SHRESHTA’ Scheme Aims to Boost Quality Education for SC Students

New Delhi: The Indian government has introduced the SHRESHTA scheme with the primary objective of extending the reach of development interventions to service-deficient areas predominantly inhabited by Scheduled Castes (SCs). The scheme specifically targets the education sector by supporting grant-in-aid institutions run by NGOs and residential high schools, offering high-quality education.

Focused on bridging the service gap and providing a conducive environment for the socio-economic upliftment of SCs, the SHRESHTA scheme aims to financially assist the best private residential schools affiliated with CBSE/State Boards. This assistance is targeted for students in class 9th and 11th, ensuring support through completion of education up to the 12th standard.

Financial aid is also extended to NGOs/Voluntary Organizations (VOs) running residential and non-residential schools and hostels with sufficient infrastructure, maintaining high academic standards for SC students. The provision of bridge courses is embedded in the scheme to facilitate the smooth integration of SC students into the academic environment.

The implementation of the SHRESHTA scheme is divided into two modes. Under mode-I, around 3000 meritorious SC students in States/UTs are selected through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). These students are then admitted to private residential schools affiliated with CBSE/State Boards. In mode-2, financial assistance is directly provided to NGOs for the operation of schools and hostel projects catering to SC students, with 13,500 slots earmarked annually.

In mode 1, students are enrolled in the 9th and 10th classes, and financial assistance is extended until the completion of education up to the 12th standard. Post this, students may leverage benefits under Post Matric Scholarship or the Top Class Education Scheme to pursue higher studies and secure future opportunities.

The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri A. Narayanaswamy, provided this information in a written response to a question in Lok Sabha today. The SHRESHTA scheme signifies a significant step toward promoting inclusive and quality education for Scheduled Caste students, fostering their overall development and future prospects.