The Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) aims to improve educational and socioeconomic conditions for Scheduled Castes (SCs) in India. The scheme operates through two modes. Mode I selects meritorious SC students via a national entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for placement in top-tier residential high schools. Mode II provides financial assistance to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to run educational projects for SC students, encompassing residential schools, non-residential schools, and hostels for both primary and secondary students. SHRESHTA intends to bridge service gaps in SC-dominant areas by enhancing access to quality education and creating an environment conducive to socioeconomic advancement for the targeted group. The scheme was revised in 2021-22 to incorporate Mode I.
Key Entities Referenced
Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas SHRESHTA: A scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to provide residential education to students in high schools, especially targeting Scheduled Castes.
Scheduled Castes: A group of historically disadvantaged communities in India, also referred to as SCs, who are the target beneficiaries of the SHRESHTA scheme.
SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.
National Testing Agency NTA: The agency responsible for conducting the nationwide entrance test for selecting meritorious SC students under the SHRESHTA scheme.
NGOs: Non-governmental organizations that receive financial assistance under the SHRESHTA scheme to run educational projects for Scheduled Castes students.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The government ministry responsible for the SHRESHTA scheme and the welfare of Scheduled Castes.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding the SHRESHTA scheme was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3746
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025
OBJECTIVES OF SHRESHTA SCHEME
3746. SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the details and objectives of Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools
in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA); and
(b) the manner in which the scheme aims to enhance educational and socio-economic conditions
for the targeted group, specifically the Scheduled Castes?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
(a) & (b) : Under the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted
Areas (SHRESHTA) Mode-II, financial assistance is provided to NGOs for running projects
related to education of students belonging to Scheduled Castes. The Scheme broadly covers 3
types of projects namely (i) Residential Schools (ii) Non Residential Schools and (iii) Hostels,
both for Primary and Secondary Students. The scheme was revised w.e.f 2021-22 as Scheme
for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) by
adding a new component under Mode-I, under which every year a specified number of
meritorious SC students in the country are selected for quality residential education in top-class
residential High Schools through a nation-wide entrance test conducted by the National Testing
Agency(NTA).
The objectives of “The Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in
Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)” is to enhance the reach of development intervention of the
Government and to fill the gap in service deficient Scheduled Castes (SCs) dominant areas, in
the sector of education through the efforts of grant-in-aid to the institutions (run by NGOs) and
residential high schools offering high quality education. The Scheme aims to provide
environment for education and socio economic upliftment of the Scheduled Castes
(SCs). Further, the Scheme provides easier access to the bright SC students to study in the best
schools in the country, thereby securing their future opportunities.
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