A big window has just opened for school students from SC and DNT communities. The National Testing Agency has released the NTA SHRESTHA NETS 2027 application form on 14-11-2026, and eligible students can apply online till 30-11-2026. SHRESTHA — the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas — offers admission to Class 9 and Class 11 in top private residential schools, and the entrance test is scheduled for 10-01-2027. There is no application fee at all, so if your family income is within the limit, do not let this one pass.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | National Testing Agency (NTA) — for the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment |
| Scheme | SHRESTHA (NETS) 2027 — National Entrance Test for SHRESTHA |
| Admission To | Class 9 and Class 11 in top private residential schools |
| Application Window | 14-11-2026 to 30-11-2026 |
| Exam Date | 10-01-2027 |
| Application Fee | Nil (free for all categories) |
| Official Website | https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Begin | 14-11-2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30-11-2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | 02-12-2026 to 04-12-2026 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip | 20-12-2026 |
| Admit Card Available | 03-01-2027 |
| SHRESTHA NETS Exam Date | 10-01-2027 |
SHRESTHA is an admission scheme, not a job recruitment, so there is no fixed vacancy count in the notification. Seats are offered in participating top private residential schools for Class 9 and Class 11, and final seat allotment and counselling are handled by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment after the entrance test.
| Detail | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class 9 Admission | Passed Class 8 examination |
| Class 11 Admission | Passed Class 10 examination |
| Category | Scheduled Caste (SC) / Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT) students |
| Parental Annual Income | Up to Rs. 2.5 lakh |
Read the information bulletin on the official portal before applying — it carries the full eligibility conditions, documents needed and the exam pattern.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Class 9 — Minimum Age | 12 years |
| Class 9 — Maximum Age | 16 years |
| Class 9 — Date of Birth | Between 01-04-2011 and 31-03-2015 |
| Class 11 — Minimum Age | 14 years |
| Class 11 — Maximum Age | 18 years |
| Class 11 — Date of Birth | Between 01-04-2009 and 31-03-2013 |
| Age Counted As On | 31-03-2027 |
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹0 (Nil) |
| SC / ST | ₹0 (Nil) |
| Payment Mode | No fee — the form is free for every applicant |
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the National Entrance Test for SHRESTHA on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The SHRESTHA scheme aims to give meritorious students from Scheduled Castes and denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes access to quality residential schooling in some of the country's best private schools.
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta |
| NTA SHRESTHA Official Website | https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta |
| NTA Main Website | https://nta.ac.in/ |
The online application for SHRESTHA (NETS) 2027 opened on 14-11-2026. The last date to apply is 30-11-2026 up to 11:50 PM.
The last date to submit the online application is 30-11-2026 (up to 11:50 PM). The correction window runs from 02-12-2026 to 04-12-2026.
The National Entrance Test for SHRESTHA (NETS) 2027 will be held on 10-01-2027. The exam city intimation slip comes out on 20-12-2026 and admit cards on 03-01-2027.
Students from SC and DNT communities whose parents' annual income is up to Rs. 2.5 lakh. For Class 9 admission you must have passed Class 8; for Class 11 admission you must have passed Class 10.
As on 31-03-2027, Class 9 applicants must be 12 to 16 years old (born between 01-04-2011 and 31-03-2015) and Class 11 applicants 14 to 18 years old (born between 01-04-2009 and 31-03-2013).
No. There is no application fee for any category — the form is completely free.
On the official NTA portal https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta — read the information bulletin there before filling the form.
SHRESTHA (Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas) gives meritorious SC and DNT students admission to Class 9 and Class 11 in top private residential schools, with the National Testing Agency conducting the entrance test for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.