The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has issued a clarification on certain media reports that appeared after the declaration of the Tier-1 results of the ESSE-2025 recruitment examination. NESTS said some reports have presented a misleading picture by claiming that candidates with low or even negative marks have been “selected”, which is factually incorrect and does not reflect the notified recruitment framework.

NESTS stated that ESSE-2025 was notified for recruitment to 7,267 teaching and non-teaching posts and the selection process follows a two-tier examination system. The Tier-1 examination, conducted by CBSE in December 2025, is only a screening and qualifying stage meant to shortlist candidates for Tier-2. As per the ESSE-2025 notification, candidates are shortlisted in the ratio of 1:10 for each post, and therefore the Tier-1 cut-off is determined by the number of candidates required to be shortlisted and not by suitability for final appointment.

The Society further clarified that the marking scheme, including negative marking, was clearly mentioned in the ESSE-2025 notification. The presence of low or negative cut-offs in Tier-1 only reflects relative performance in a competitive examination and does not imply eligibility for appointment or any dilution of standards.

NESTS emphasized that final merit and selection are determined exclusively through the Tier-2 examination, which is subject-specific and evaluative in nature, and wherever applicable, through interviews. For the post of Principal, the process includes a Tier-2 examination followed by an interview to ensure only professionally competent candidates are selected. Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in Tier-2, which are 30 per cent for General category candidates and 25 per cent for SC/ST/Divyang candidates, failing which they are automatically disqualified irrespective of their Tier-1 performance.

The Society also clarified that salary levels mentioned in some media reports are standard government pay scales and become applicable only after successful completion of all stages of recruitment. Reiterating that the recruitment is being conducted in a transparent, rule-based and merit-driven manner, NESTS urged media organisations to verify facts before publication so that the public is not misled.

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