The goal of SHRESHTA is to expand the reach of the government’s development intervention and to fill the gap in service-deficient SCs-dominated areas, particularly in education, through the efforts of grant-in-aid institutions (run by NGOs) and residential high schools offering high-quality education, and to provide an environment for socioeconomic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs).
The Scheme has also been changed to make it simpler for deserving SC students to enrol in the nation’s top universities for academic and holistic development, safeguarding their future chances.
Selection of schools: Best performing CBSE based private residential schools, having more than 75% pass percentage for class 10 and 12 for last three years are selected by a Committee for admission of selected students.
Selection of students: Approx 3000 (1500 for 9th class and 1500 for class 11th tentative) SC students, whose parents annual income is upto 2.5 lakh, are selected every year under the Scheme through a national level test conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA), choices of schools shall be offered to the students in accordance with their merit.
Total fee for the student covering the school fee (including tuition fees) and hostel fee (including mess charges) would be borne by the Department. Admissible fee under the Scheme for each class is as under:
| Class | Fee per student per annum (Rs) |
| 9th | 1,00,000 |
| 10th | 1,10,000 |
| 11th | 1,25,000 |
| 12th | 1,35,000 |
Provisions have been incorporated for a bridge course in the selected schools for students selected under the Scheme, outside-the-school-hours after identifying the individual academic requirements. Bridge course will target at enhancing the capability of the student to easily adapt to the environment of the school. The cost of bridge course i.e. 10% of annual fee shall also be borne by the Department. The progress of the students would be monitored by the Ministry from time to time.
Second Mode is NGO/VO operated Schools/Hostels (EXISTING COMPONENT), (Guidelines hereinafter applicable only for Mode 2 of the Scheme), Schools/Hostels run by VOs/NGOs and other organizations having higher classes (up to class 12) and who have been receiving Grant-in-aid will be continued, subject to satisfactory performance.
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Source: PIB
