The objective of SHRESHTA is to enhance the reach of development Intervention of the Government and to fill the gap in service deficient SCs dominant areas, in the sector of education through the efforts of grant-in-aid institutions (run by NGOs) and residential high schools offering high quality education. The scheme aims to provide environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) by providing financial assistance to best private residential schools affiliated by CBSE/ State Board in class 9^th & 11^th for completion of education till 12^th standard. Further, financial assistance is also provided to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)/ Voluntary Organisations (VOs) for running residential , non-residential schools and hostels having adequate infrastructure and maintain good academic quality for SC students.

There is provision of Bridge course in the scheme to ensure that the SC students so admitted can catch up with the rest of the class. Bridge courses targets on enhancing the capability of the student to easily adopt to the environment of the school.

The scheme is being implemented in two modes. In mode-I, each year a specified number of meritorious SC students around 3000 in States/UTs are selected through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and admitted in the private residential schools affiliated to CBSE/State Boards. Under mode-2, financial assistance is provided to the NGOs for running the schools/hostel projects related to Education sector to Scheduled Caste students. 13500 slots every year have been year marked for SC students.

Under the mode 1 of the scheme, students are admitted in 9^th and 10^th class and financial assistance is provided for them till completion of education upto 12^th standard. Thereafter, students may take benefits under Post Matric Scholarship or Top Class Education Scheme to continue their further studies for securing their future opportunities.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri A. Narayanaswamy in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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MG/MS/VL

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