The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Notification for admissions to Classes IX and XI under the Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) scheme. As per the SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Notification, around 3,000 students will be selected nationwide through the entrance test. The online application process is completely free and open from 10th October 2025 to 30th October 2025 (up to 5:00 PM).
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Notification PDF Download
Candidates can download the official SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Information Bulletin PDF from the NTA website to get complete details about eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and instructions for online registration.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), established by the Ministry of Education, conducts SHRESHTA (NETS) on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process.
Download Official Notification PDF: SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Information Bulletin
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026: Overview
The SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 exam aims to identify bright SC students and place them in top residential schools for quality education and holistic development. Check the key highlights below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Name | SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 |
| Scheme Conducted By | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India |
| Classes for Admission | Class IX & Class XI |
| Target Group | Scheduled Caste (SC) Students |
| Annual Family Income Limit | Up to ₹2.5 lakh |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Fee | No Fee |
| Application Dates | 10th October 2025 to 30th October 2025 |
| Correction Window | 1st – 2nd November 2025 |
| Exam Date | December 2025 (Exact date to be announced) |
| Exam Mode | Pen & Paper (Offline) |
| Duration | 3 Hours (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM) |
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Students must meet the following eligibility conditions to apply for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Caste | Candidate must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category |
| Parental Income | Annual family income must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh |
| For Class IX Admission | Should be studying in Class VIII during 2025–26 and born between 01.04.2010 – 31.03.2014 |
| For Class XI Admission | Should be studying in Class X during 2025–26 and born between 01.04.2008 – 31.03.2012 |
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Exam Pattern
The SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 will be an offline (pen-and-paper) test of 3 hours duration. The paper will consist of 100 questions across four subjects.
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 120 |
| Science | 20 | 80 |
| Social Science | 25 | 100 |
| General Awareness / Knowledge | 25 | 100 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
Medium of Paper: Hindi & English
Marking Scheme: +4 for each correct answer; no negative marking
The exam will be based on the NCERT syllabus of Class VIII (for Class IX admission) and Class X (for Class XI admission).
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SHRESHTA 2026 Application Process
Interested candidates can apply online only from 10th October 2025 to 30th October 2025. There is no application fee, and candidates should fill only one application form.
Steps to Apply Online:
- Visit the NTA SHRESHTA portal – https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta.
- Register online and note down the system-generated Application Number.
- Fill in personal, educational, and exam city details.
- Upload the required documents:
- Passport-size photograph (10–200 KB, JPG)
- Signature (10–50 KB, JPG)
- Category & Income Certificates (50–300 KB, PDF)
- Left-hand thumb impression (10–50 KB, JPG)
- Review and submit the form.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Admission Process
- Admissions will be based purely on merit as per NTA scores.
- The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment will handle counseling and school allotments.
- The NTA’s role is limited to conducting the exam, declaring results, and providing the merit list.
FAQs
Q1. What is the SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 exam?
Ans: It is a national-level entrance test conducted by NTA to select meritorious SC students for admission to top private residential schools in Classes IX and XI.
Q2. What is the last date to apply online?
Ans: Candidates can apply till 30th October 2025 (up to 5:00 PM).
Q3. What is the exam date for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026?
Ans: The exam will be held in December 2025 (exact date to be announced).
Q4. Is there any fee for the SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 application?
Ans: No, the application is completely free of cost.
Q5. Who can apply for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026?
Ans: Only Scheduled Caste (SC) students studying in Class VIII or X during 2025–26 with parental income up to ₹2.5 lakh per annum are eligible.