AI SummaryScheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) Mode 2 supports Scheduled Caste students by giving financial help to NGO-run residential and non-residential schools. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment runs this central scheme to fill education gaps in service-deficient areas across India.
Under Mode 2, grant-in-aid goes directly to voluntary organisations and NGOs that run schools and hostels for Scheduled Caste students. The scheme covers residential schools, non-residential schools and hostels, for both primary and secondary students. For the 2026-27 financial year the e-Anudaan portal stays open for fresh and renewal applications, so eligible organisations can still apply.
Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA): Mode 2 - NGO Operated Schools - Introduction
SHRESHTA Mode 2 partners with reputed school chains, CSR foundations and non-profit bodies that already run quality schools recognised by State Governments and affiliated to State or Central Boards. The idea is to bring good voluntary organisations into the education system and build them up over time, so more Scheduled Caste children get access to quality schooling and residential facilities.
The scheme provides financial support for school fees and hostel expenses, which removes the money problems that often stop poor families from sending children to school. It also gives infrastructure grants and uses strict monitoring to make sure every beneficiary gets proper support. The revised guidelines for 2023-24 to 2025-26 continue to apply, and no new school is taken up under this mode.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | SHRESHTA Mode 2 - NGO Operated Schools |
| Level | Central |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Nodal Department | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Beneficiaries | Scheduled Caste students |
| Benefit Type | Cash grant-in-aid |
| Application Mode | Online via e-Anudaan portal |
| Official Portal | grants-msje.gov.in |
Benefits
This scheme gives direct financial support to partner schools to cover the cost of educating Scheduled Caste students. Payments are processed electronically through the e-Anudaan portal and the Public Financial Management System. The grant per Scheduled Caste student depends on the type of project and the level of education.
| Category | Residential (per student) | Non-residential (per student) | Hostel Only (per student) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Level | ₹44,000 | ₹27,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Secondary Level | ₹55,000 | ₹35,000 | ₹30,000 |
Non-recurring grants are given every 5 years for infrastructure improvements. A school with 100 students can receive amounts ranging from ₹1,95,000 to ₹3,85,000 depending on the school type, plus an extra ₹900 per student. The grant amount is linked to student attendance at the time of the Programme Management Unit inspection.
| Attendance Range | Grant Percentage |
|---|---|
| 75% or more | Full Grant |
| 50% to less than 75% | 75% of Grant |
| 25% to less than 50% | 50% of Grant |
| Less than 25% | No Grant |
Eligibility
To take part, an organisation must be a non-profit body with a strong reputation in school education. It should be registered on the NGO Darpan portal of NITI Aayog and have its own website for open disclosure of information. A properly constituted Managing Committee with clear powers and duties is also required.
The school must hold recognition from the State Government and be affiliated to a recognised board. It should maintain high standards such as one classroom per section, clean toilets at a 1:10 ratio, and 24/7 CCTV surveillance with live streaming. For students, the beneficiary must belong to the Scheduled Caste community and be enrolled in a school selected under this scheme. NGO-run primary schools must upgrade to Secondary or Senior Secondary level before 2027 to keep getting support.
Application Process
Organisations apply online on the e-Anudaan portal. The portal opens on 1 April every year for renewal students and stays open till 30 June for fresh students. Follow these steps to register and manage the application.
STEP 1 - Register the organisation on the NGO Darpan portal and obtain a unique project ID from the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
STEP 2 - Submit the application online on the e-Anudaan portal between 1 April and 30 June with all required documents.
STEP 3 - Prepare the budget estimates and wait for a physical inspection from the Programme Management Unit, which reviews infrastructure and teaching standards during the first quarter of the academic session.
STEP 4 - Once approved, execute the Agreement Bond and link the joint-operation bank account to the Public Financial Management System for electronic fund transfers.
STEP 5 - Keep records updated and submit utilisation certificates annually to receive grant installments. The total annual grant is released in three installments every year.
Documents
Keep these documents ready for the application and audit process. They are checked during the online submission and the yearly physical inspection.
- Project identification details from the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Detailed budget estimates and the previous year's performance report with statistical data.
- Utilisation certificate for past grants in GFR 12A format and audited or unaudited accounts.
- Registration certificate of the organisation and the NGO Darpan entry.
- Management committee constitution and proof of non-profit status.
- Bank account details under a joint-operation structure, linked to PFMS.
- Physical inspection report provided by the Programme Management Unit.
- Evidence of compliance such as CCTV footage, attendance registers and medical visit logs.
References
For official details, check the scheme page on the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment website and the official SHRESHTA admission portal.
- SHRESHTA scheme page on socialjustice.gov.in
- View official scheme guidelines PDF
- Official SHRESHTA admission portal
FAQ's
What kind of organisations can apply for this program?
Reputed school chains, CSR foundations and non-profit organisations recognised by the government and registered on the NGO Darpan portal can apply. The school must be recognised by the State Government and affiliated to a State or Central Board.
How is the financial aid divided if attendance is low?
If student attendance is between 50% and 75%, the organisation receives 75% of the funding. If it is between 25% and 50%, it gets 50%. Attendance below 25% results in no grant.
What frequency applies to non-recurring infrastructure grants?
Infrastructure grants can be applied for once every 5 years to cover costs for furniture, bedding, laboratory equipment and CCTV installation.
Are there specific teacher qualifications required?
Yes, high school teachers must be graduates in their fields with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) qualification. The school must maintain at least 6 teachers, and a hostel must have at least 2.
What happens if an organisation provides false information?
The organisation will be blacklisted across all government platforms, removed from the NGO Darpan portal, and may be asked to refund all received grants with 12% interest.