The National Testing Agency (NTA), on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E), has released the official notification for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 — the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas. The examination is conducted for admission of meritorious Scheduled Caste (SC) and De-notified Tribes (DNT) students (not covered under SCs, STs & OBCs) — both boys and girls — into reputed Private Residential Schools across the country.
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The online application process started on 14 November 2026. Candidates who are studying in Class 8th or 10th in the current academic year (2026–27) and belong to SC/DNT categories can submit their application forms through the official website exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta/. There is no application fee for this examination.
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 Notification Out
The detailed SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 Information Bulletin has been released by NTA on its official website, announcing admission for approximately 2400 students (2160 SCs + 240 DNTs) in Class 9 and Class 11 for the Academic Session 2027–28. The entire cost of education is funded by the Central Government. Candidates must go through the Information Bulletin to check complete details regarding eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, exam cities, important dates, and other information.
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 – Key Highlights
The selection of candidates will be based on a Pen-and-Paper Based Test (PBT) conducted in 192 cities across India. The examination will comprise 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) worth 400 marks, with no negative marking. Selected students will receive 100% centrally funded education in reputed private residential schools.
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Scheme | SHRESHTA (NETS) – 2027 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, GoI |
| Post/Admission | Class 9 and Class 11 (SC & DNT students) |
| Total Seats | 2400 (2160 SCs + 240 DNTs) |
| Recruitment Type | Entrance Examination for Admission |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Registration Dates | 14th November to 30th November 2026 |
| Qualification | Studying in Class 8th / 10th (2026–27) |
| Required Examination | SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 |
| Selection Process | Written Test (PBT) + MoSJ&E Counselling |
| Medium of Paper | Bilingual (Hindi & English) |
| Exam Mode | Pen & Paper (OMR Sheet based) |
| Exam Date | 10th January 2027 (Sunday) |
| Exam Timing | 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM |
| Application Fee | Nil |
| Official Website | https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta/ |
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 – Important Dates
The detailed notification has been released along with the complete registration schedule. The online application window will remain active from 14 November 2026 to 30 November 2026 (up to 11:50 PM). Candidates must complete their registration and correction within the prescribed timeline.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Apply Online Starts | 14 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 November 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Correction Window | 02 December 2026 to 04 December 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Date of Intimation of Exam City | 20 December 2026 |
| Date of Downloading of Admit Card | 03 January 2027 |
| Date of Examination | 10 January 2027 (Sunday) |
| Timing of Examination | 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM |
| Duration of Examination | 03 Hours (180 minutes) |
| Declaration of Result | Will be intimated later on the website |
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 Vacancy / Seat Distribution
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has announced a total of approximately 2400 seats for admission in Class 9 and Class 11 under the scheme. The seats are distributed between SC and DNT candidates.
Category-wise Seat Distribution
| Category | Total Seats |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SCs) | 2160 |
| De-notified Tribes (DNTs) | 240 |
| Total | 2400 |
Note: The number of candidates to be selected is subject to change as per the discretion of NTA/MoSJ&E.
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in applying for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 must fulfil the educational qualification, category, income, and age requirements mentioned in the official notification.
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Educational Qualification & Category
Candidates must belong to Scheduled Castes (SCs) or De-notified Tribes (DNTs) (not covered under SCs, STs & OBCs) and must be studying in Class 8th or 10th in the current academic year (2026–27).
| Class Applied For | Current Class | Syllabus Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Class IX | Class 8th | NCERT Class VIII syllabus |
| Class XI | Class 10th | NCERT Class X syllabus |
Income Criteria
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Parent’s Annual Income | Up to Rs. 2.5 Lakhs |
Age Limit (As on 31/03/2027)
The age criteria for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 is as follows. The age will be calculated as on 31 March 2027.
| Class Applied For | Date of Birth Range | Age Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Class IX | 01-04-2011 to 31-03-2015 | 12 to 16 years |
| Class XI | 01-04-2009 to 31-03-2013 | 14 to 18 years |
NTA SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 Notification
Check Official Notice PDF
Check Important dates
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 Apply Online
The online application process for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 has started on 14 November 2026 by the National Testing Agency. Interested and eligible candidates can now start submitting their online application forms at https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta/. The application process is completely online, and no other mode of application will be accepted.
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 Apply Online Link (Active) – https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta/
How to Apply Online for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027?
Candidates can submit their application forms through the official NTA website. The application process is completely online, and no offline applications will be accepted. Follow the steps below to complete the registration process:
- Visit the official website of NTA at https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta/.
- Register for the Online Application Form and note down the system-generated Application Number.
- Create a Password and select a Security Question with its answer.
- Log in using the Application Number and Password to complete the Application Form.
- Enter personal details, select the Class applied for (IX or XI), choose four preferred Examination Cities, and provide educational qualification details.
- Upload the scanned images in the prescribed format and size:
- Photograph: JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 200 KB
- Signature: JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 50 KB
- Left-hand thumb impression: JPG/JPEG, 10 KB to 50 KB
- Category Certificate/Undertaking: PDF, 50 KB to 300 KB
- Income Certificate: PDF, 50 KB to 300 KB
- Review all the details and submit the application form.
- Download, save, and print a copy of the Confirmation Page for future reference.
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 Selection Process
The selection of candidates for admission under SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 will be based on the Pen-and-Paper Based Test (PBT). There will be no interview. The selection process consists of the following stages:
- Written Examination (OMR Sheet based)
- Declaration of Result on NTA website
- Admission and Counselling by MoSJ&E (NTA has no role in admission/counselling)
Exam Pattern
| Subject | No. of Questions (MCQs) | Marks (4 marks each) |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 100 |
| Science | 25 | 100 |
| Social Science | 25 | 100 |
| General Awareness/Knowledge | 25 | 100 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
Marking Scheme
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | Four marks (+4) |
| Incorrect Answer | No mark (0) |
| Unanswered Questions | No Negative marking |
Tie-Breaking Criteria
In case of a tie in overall marks, the merit shall be determined in the following order of priority:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
- General Awareness/Knowledge
- Older Age
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 Examination Cities
The examination will be conducted in 192 cities across India through Pen-and-Paper Based Test (PBT) mode. While applying, candidates have to select any four cities of their choice in order of priority. NTA will make efforts to allot the city of examination in order of choice opted by the candidates; however, due to administrative/logistical reasons, a different city may be allotted.
Note:
- If the number of registered candidates in any examination city is less than 100, candidates will be allotted the next nearest examination city.
- No request for change of examination city will be entertained.
- NTA reserves the right to allot a centre in a city other than the candidate’s choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027?
SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 is an entrance examination conducted by NTA on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for admission of meritorious SC and DNT students into reputed private residential schools in Classes 9 and 11, with the entire cost of education funded by the Central Government.
Q2. Who is eligible to apply for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027?
Students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and De-notified Tribes (DNTs) (not covered under SCs, STs & OBCs), studying in Class 8th or 10th in the current academic year (2026–27), with parental annual income up to Rs. 2.5 lakhs, and meeting the prescribed age criteria are eligible to apply.
Q3. What is the application fee for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027?
There is no application fee for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027. Candidates of all categories are exempted from paying any fee.
Q4. What is the exam pattern for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027?
The exam will consist of 100 MCQs (25 each from Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and General Awareness/Knowledge) worth 400 marks, to be conducted in Pen-and-Paper (OMR Sheet based) mode for 3 hours. There is no negative marking.
Q5. When will the SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 examination be conducted?
The examination will be conducted on 10 January 2027 (Sunday) from 02:00 PM to 05:00 PM.
Q6. How many seats are available under SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027?
Approximately 2400 seats (2160 for SCs + 240 for DNTs) are available for admission in Class 9 and Class 11 under the scheme.
Q7. What is the selection process for SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027?
The selection will be based on the candidate’s performance in the SHRESHTA (NETS) 2027 written examination. Admission and counselling will be conducted by MoSJ&E based on the merit list.
