Context: 

CBSE has established rules for how private residential schools under its affiliation should execute the SHRESHTA scheme (Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas).

About Shreshta Scheme:

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).

• Objectives of SHRESHTA SCHEME

  • To offer excellent educational opportunities to deserving SC students in grades 9 and 11 through residential programs.
  • To enhance the reach of the development initiative of the government.
  • To fill the gap in service-deprived Scheduled Castes (SCs) dominant areas in the sector of education by collaborating with voluntary organizations.
  • To provide an environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs).

• Eligibility Criteria Under SHRESHTA SCHEME

• • SC students currently enrolled in 8th and 10th grade are eligible for the scheme.
  • Students from SC backgrounds with family incomes up to Rs 2.5 lakh per year qualify for the benefits.
• Bridge Courses: The scheme includes a Bridge course to help SC students who are admitted to catch up with their classmates.
  • Bridge courses focus on improving the student’s abilities to adapt easily to the school environment.

Implementation Procedure Of SHRESHTA SCHEME

The scheme operates in two modes:

• SHRESHTA Schools: Mode-I: approximately 3000 talented SC students from various States/Union Territories (UTs) are chosen annually through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS).
  • These students are then enrolled in private residential schools affiliated with CBSE/State Boards.
• NGO/VO operated Schools/Hostels (EXISTING COMPONENT): Mode-II involves providing financial support to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to manage schools or hostel projects focused on educating Scheduled Caste students.

News Source: PIB