SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Notification Out: Eligibility, Dates & Exam Pattern

📄 Comprehensive FAQs for SHRESHTA (NETS) – 2026 Examination

*Source: NTA Public Notice dated 17 October 2025*

I. Scheme Overview

Q6. What is SHRESHTA (NETS) -2026?

The SHRESHTA (Residential Education for Students in High School in Targeted Areas) scheme is for providing seats for meritorious SC boys and girls in the best private residential schools in the country. About 3,000 students would be selected every year for admission in Class 9 and Class 11 under the scheme.

Q7. What is the responsibility of NTA for SHRESHTA (NETS) - 2026?

The role of NTA is confined to registration of candidates and conduct of the exam, finalization of answer keys, processing, and declaration of results. Admission and Counselling are being done by MoSJ&E (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment).

II. Eligibility and Documents

Q31. What is the minimum eligibility criteria/qualification?

Only candidates whose **parental income is up to Rs. 2.50 lakh** are eligible. This applies to candidates who have passed/are appearing in Class VIII (for Class IX admission) or those appearing/passed in Class X (for Class XI admission).

Q32. What is the age limit/relaxation criteria for the candidates?

• For Class VIII (Admission to Class IX): Born between **01-04-2010 to 31-03-2014**.
• For Class X (Admission to Class XI): Born between **01-04-2008 to 31-03-2012**.

Q15. Is it mandatory to upload SC Category Certificate?

Yes, uploading of the SC Category Certificate is mandatory.

Q36. Is AADHAAR mandatory for SHRESHTA (NETS) -2026?

No, the Aadhaar number is one of the types of identification and is **not mandatory**. Candidates may also enter their Digi locker, Indian Passport number, Pan Card, School ID card, Ration Card number, or any other valid Government identity number.

III. Application Process & Corrections

Q8. When will the Online Application form for SHRESHTA (NETS)-2026 be available?

The Online Application Form is available between **10.10.2025 to 30.10.2025** on the website `https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta/`.

Q24. How will the Candidate get the Confirmation Page?

The Confirmation Page will be generated **only after completion of all the three steps** by the Candidate.

Q14. Are Candidates required to send / submit any document(s) including Confirmation Page to NTA?

No. Candidates are not required to send/submit any document(s) including the Confirmation Page to NTA through Post/Fax/WhatsApp/Email/by Hand.

Q13. What should I do, if 'continuous timeout' or 'file not found error' occurs?

Use an updated version of Mozilla Firefox/Internet Explorer and a good internet connection. Clear cookies and history of the browser and fill in off-peak hours in case of continuous timeout.

Q20. Can the Candidate correct / change his/her particulars?

A **one-time correction window** will be provided as per the schedule mentioned in the Information Bulletin for correcting the particulars.

Q18. Blue Signature instead of a Black Signature - is it okay?

Yes, you can upload a signature either in black or blue.

Q21. Can anyone cancel the application submitted?

Online Application forms once submitted successfully **cannot be cancelled/withdrawn**.

IV. Examination Details

Q9. When will SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Examination be conducted?

In the Month of **December, 2025**.

Q10. Whether the examination will be offline or online?

SHRESHTA (NETS) 2026 Examination will be held in **pen and paper mode (Offline)** in OMR sheet.

Q28. Is there any Negative Marking?

There is **no negative marking**.

Q12. What would be the language of Question Paper?

Bilingual (**English and Hindi**).

Q33. What will be the pattern of examination? (Total 100 Qs / 400 Marks)

Subject	Questions	Marks
Mathematics	30	120
Science	20	80
Social Science	25	100
General Awareness/Knowledge	25	100

Q27. Will any candidate be able to leave early?

No, the candidate will not be allowed to leave the examination hall/room before the test concludes.

V. Logistics and Contact

Q3. Choice of Cities

The Choice of exam cities will be displayed to the candidates as filled in the Online Application Form.

Q26. What do the Candidates need to bring to the exam center?

The candidate is required to bring the **Admit Card** along with a passport size photograph affixed on it, and one passport-size photograph to be affixed on the attendance sheet.

Q25. If one does not get Admit Card, whom should be contacted?

The Candidate has to download the Admit Card from the NTA website. For any assistance, candidate can call the NTA Helpline numbers: **011-40759000 or 011-69227700** or write to NTA at: **`shreshta@nta.ac.in`**.

Q30. How will one know the result?

The result will be uploaded on the NTA website `www.nta.ac.in` and `https://exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta/`, as per schedule.

Q19. Is there any helpline?

Yes. The Helpline Nos. are **011-69227700 and 011-40759000**. E-mail: **`shreshta@nta.ac.in`**.

📢 Update: SHRESHTA (NETS)-2026 Application Deadline Extended

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the last date for online application submission for the SHRESHTA (NETS)-2026 examination (for admission to Class IX and XI for SC candidates).

📅 Revised Schedule

Event	Earlier Date	Extended Date
Online Submission of Application Form	30.10.2025 (Upto 05:00 P.M.)	09.11.2025 (Upto 05:00 P.M.)
Correction in the Particulars	01.11.2025 to 02.11.2025	11.11.2025 to 12.11.2025

The Date of Examination remains 21 December, 2025 (Sunday).

📝 Correction Window Details

For latest updates, visit the official NTA websites: nta.ac.in or exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta/. For queries, call NTA Help Desk at 011-40759000.