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Context - The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment presented the Review report on Restha Scheme in the Lok Sabha.

About Restha Scheme

• It is a Central Sector Scheme of “Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary and other Organizations working for Scheduled Castes” under which financial assistance is provided to the NGOs for projects related to the Education sector to Scheduled Caste students.
• The Ministry of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the implementing agency.
• The Scheme broadly covers 3 types of projects namely;
  • Residential Schools
  • Non-Residential Schools
  • Hostels
• The scheme is applicable to both for Primary and Secondary Students.
• In 2021, The scheme was renamed as Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESTHA), which is operated in two Modes.
  • Under Mode-I: Every year a specified number of meritorious SC students in States/UTs, whose parent's annual income is up to Rs. 2.5 Lakh, are selected for providing quality residential education in Top-class Private Residential High Schools.
  • Under Mode-II” Ongoing projects of Non-residential schools/Residential Schools/ Hostels of the VOs/NGOs are supported.
• The SHRESHTA (NETS) 2022 will be conducted for admissions in classes 9th and 11th only for SC candidates whose parental annual income is up to Rs. 2.5 lacs.
• The students have to apply online for a National Entrance Test to get benefits from the scheme. The entrance exam SHRESTHA (NETS) is organised by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Significance of the SHRESTHA Scheme

• It fills the gap in service-deprived Scheduled Castes (SCs) dominant areas in the sector of education by collaborating with voluntary organizations.
• It provides an environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs).
• It provides access to high-quality education to bright Scheduled Caste (SC) students so that they can secure future opportunities.
• Provides an entry at Class 9th and 11th in CBSE affiliated residential schools for completion of education till 12th.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1813723

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