Government Strengthens Residential Education and Hostel Facilities for SC and Tribal Students
Issued by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 19th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary & Key Takeaways
Executive Summary The Government of India is enhancing residential education and hostel facilities for Scheduled Caste (SC) and tribal students through schemes such as PM-AJAY, SHRESHTA, and EMRS. Key milestones include the sanctioning of two hostels with 500 seats in Hyderabad and the full operationalization of 23 Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Telangana for the 2025–26 academic session. The initiatives prioritize quality assurance through new frameworks and rigorous multi-level monitoring to ensure accountability and fund availability.
Key Points / Main Content
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)
- Hostel Construction: Financial assistance is provided for building new SC student hostels based on recommendations from State Governments, UTs, and Central Universities.
- Hyderabad Project: Two hostels (one for boys and one for girls) with a combined 500-seat capacity have been sanctioned in Hyderabad, with ₹7.50 crore released for construction.
- Maintenance Rules: While the scheme does not fund the expansion or upgrading of existing hostels, implementing agencies can receive Central assistance for repairs every five years after a hostel becomes operational.
- Oversight: Monitoring is conducted through national/regional conferences, monthly reviews with States/UTs, and designated committees at central, state, and district levels.
Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)
- Target Group: Designed to provide quality residential education to meritorious SC students.
- Implementation Modes: The scheme operates by reimbursing fees to private residential schools (CBSE/State Board affiliated) or providing grants-in-aid to NGOs and voluntary organizations to run schools and hostels.
Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
- National Reach: Out of 728 approved schools nationwide for tribal students, 508 are currently functional.
- Telangana Statistics: All 23 sanctioned EMRSs in the state are functional, benefiting 10,199 students during the 2025–26 session.
- Quality Assurance: CBSE-affiliated EMRSs completed self-assessments in 2025–26 under the School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAF), covering domains like pedagogy, infrastructure, and leadership.
- Management: The National Education Society for Tribal Students oversees functioning, supported by centralized recruitment and the direct release of recurring grants to schools.
Impact Analysis
Scheduled Caste (SC) Students Impact: Students gain improved access to high-quality residential facilities and education through 500 new hostel seats in Hyderabad and fee reimbursements at private schools. Action Required: Meritorious students must seek enrollment in participating SHRESHTA schools or apply for seats in newly constructed hostels.
Tribal Students Impact: Students in tribal-dominated blocks receive quality education in a supportive environment, with over 10,000 students benefited in Telangana alone. Action Required: Eligible tribal students should enroll in functional EMRSs for the 2025–26 academic session.
State Governments and Implementing Agencies Impact: They receive financial support for infrastructure and operations but are subject to stricter monitoring and quality assessment protocols. Action Required: Agencies must conduct need-assessment surveys for new proposals and may apply for repair assistance for operational hostels every five years.
NGOs and Voluntary Organizations Impact: These organizations receive grants-in-aid to facilitate the education of SC students under the SHRESHTA scheme. Action Required: Organizations must ensure their residential and non-residential schools meet the government's quality and operational guidelines to maintain funding.