SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Notification Out: Eligibility, Dates & Exam Pattern
🎓 SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026: Application Window Open for SC Students Admission to Class 9 & 11
The **National Testing Agency (NTA)** has opened the application window for the **National Entrance Test for Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Classes in Targeted Areas [SHRESHTA (NETS)]-2026**. The SHRESHTA scheme, approved by the government, aims to provide seats for meritorious SC boys and girls in the country’s best private residential schools.
The primary goal is to enhance the reach of the government's development initiative and provide high-quality education to bright Scheduled Caste (SC) students, enabling socio-economic upliftment and future opportunities. It is anticipated that around **3000 students** will be selected annually for admission in Class 9 and Class 11 under this scheme.
📅 SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Key Dates and Examination Mode
Candidates must adhere to the following schedule for the application and examination:
| Event | Date/Detail |
|---|---|
| **Online Application Form Availability** | **October 10, 2025, to October 30, 2025** |
| **Correction Facility** | Will be given as per the schedule in the Information Bulletin |
| **Examination Date** | In the **Month of December, 2025** |
| **Examination Mode** | **Pen and Paper mode (Offline) in OMR sheet** |
| **Application Fee** | **NIL (No fee)** |
The NTA's responsibility is limited to registration, conducting the exam, finalizing answer keys, and declaring results. The Admission and Counselling processes are managed by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E), and NTA has no role in those downstream processes.
📋 Eligibility Criteria (SC Candidates Only)
Only those candidates whose parental income (inclusive of Father's and Mother's annual income) is **up to ₹2.50 lakh** are eligible to appear in the SHRESHTA (NETS) - 2026.
- **For Class IX Admission:** Candidate must have passed or be appearing in **Class VIII** in the session 2026-2027.
- **For Class XI Admission:** Candidate must have passed or be appearing in **Class X** in the session 2026-2027.
Age Limits (as of 31.03.2026)
- For Class IX: Born between **01-04-2010 to 31-03-2014**.
- For Class XI: Born between **01-04-2008 to 31-03-2012**.
📝 SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Exam Pattern and Marks
The examination is a single paper that will be conducted in a **Bilingual (English and Hindi)** medium. The test has **no negative marking**.
The Question Paper is divided into four sections (Total 100 Questions, 400 Marks):
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks (4 Marks per Question) |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 30 | 120 |
| Science | 20 | 80 |
| Social Science | 25 | 100 |
| General Awareness/Knowledge | 25 | 100 |
To succeed, students must focus on a balanced preparation across all four sections. Practice with previous years' examination papers is highly recommended. Find relevant papers and mock tests to prepare for this National Level Entrance Exam at QuestionPaper.in.
Application & Contact Information
The Application Form must be filled out online in three steps: Registration, filling the Application Form, and Uploading Scanned Documents. Uploading the **SC Category Certificate** and the **Income Certificate** is mandatory.
For any assistance, candidates can contact the NTA Helpline numbers: **011-69227700** or **011-40759000** or email at **shreshta@nta.ac.in**.