Lok Sabha Question No. 3784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: Scheduled Caste  Enrolled under  SHRESHTA Scheme
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3784 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## SCHEDULED CASTE ENROLLED UNDER SHRESHTA SCHEME

## 3784. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of Scheduled Caste students enrolled under the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) scheme since inception and total seats sanctioned thereunder in the country, State-wise;
- (b) the details of the funds allocation and actual expenditure incurred under the scheme since inception, fund distribution and per-student cost, State-wise;
- (c) the details of performance indicators monitored to evaluate scheme effectiveness in terms of academic outcomes and drop-out rates; and
- (d) the steps taken to expand the scheme's reach and timeline for achieving the target of providing quality residential education to 3,000 students annually?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a) & (b): The Central Sector Scheme, namely "Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)", in its present form, is in operation since 2021-22. Under Mode-I of the Scheme per year 3,000 slots and under Mode-II 13,500 slots have been earmarked. The annual cost per student is at Annexure-I.

Details of funds allocated and released under the Scheme from 2021-22 and the details of number of students enrolled, funds released (School/Project wise) located in States/Union Territories since 2021-22 are at Annexure-Il and III respectively.

- (c) : The pass percentage of the admitted students under the Scheme has been more than 99 percent and the drop-out is a small percentage.
- (d) : Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has taken various measures like writing letters to States/Union Territories to publicize the Scheme amongst schools and motivate SC students to participate in the SHRESHTA Scheme, facilitating SC students in getting their SC certificates without delay for availing benefits of the Scheme, apart from publishing Scheme guidelines, National Eligibility Test for SHRESHTA (NETS), etc. through website of the ministry and print media as well. Moreover, multiple rounds of counselling are being organized in order to fill the seats.

## Annexure referred to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.3784 to be answered on 12.08.2025

| Mode-l   | Mode-l   |
|----------|----------|
| Class    | Amount   |
|          | 1,00,000 |
| 10th     | 1,10,000 |
| 11th     | 1,25,000 |
| 12th     | 1,35,000 |

| Mode-ll   | Mode-ll     | Mode-ll         | Mode-ll   |
|-----------|-------------|-----------------|-----------|
| Standard  | Amount      |                 |           |
|           | Residential | Non-residential | Hostel    |
| Primary   | 44,000      | 27,000          | 30,000    |
| Secondary | 55,000      | 35,000          | 30,000    |

Apart from above, there is provision of bridge courses for which 10% of annual fee is provided.

## Annexure referred to part (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.3784 to be answered on 12.08.2025

The details of funds allocated and released under the Scheme from 2021-22 to 2025-26:

(Rupees in cr.)

|   SL. No. | Years   |   Funds allocated | Funds released           |
|-----------|---------|-------------------|--------------------------|
|         1 | 2021-22 |             63.21 | 38.04                    |
|         2 | 2022-23 |             89    | 51.12                    |
|         3 | 2023-24 |             90.65 | 81.57                    |
|         4 | 2024-25 |            110    | 109.98                   |
|         5 | 2025-26 |            140    | 29.35 (As on 07.08.2025) |