Union Government Advances SHRESHTA Entrance Exam Schedule to December to Streamline SC/OBC Admissions

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has implemented key structural reforms across its educational scholarship programs to accelerate admissions, improve transparency, and eliminate academic delays for socio-economically marginalized students. Under the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA), the government has officially advanced the schedule for the annual National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS) from May to December, starting with upcoming academic cycles. The policy shift addresses long-standing logistical hurdles where examinations held in May led to delayed counselling and admissions well into the ongoing academic year, forcing many eligible Scheduled Caste (SC) students to drop out or miss critical instruction time. By shifting the entrance test to December, the ministry aims to conclude seat allotment and school onboarding prior to the start of the new academic term in April. Official figures released by the ministry highlight that over 1.44 crore SC students have benefited from Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships totaling ₹12,773 crore, while more than 1.01 crore Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Economically Backward Classes (EBC) students received ₹2,445 crore in financial aid. The restructured schedule is expected to provide timely educational support to talented students entering top residential private schools across the country.

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