The National Testing Agency has opened applications for SHRESHTA NETS 2027, the national entrance test that decides admission to Class 9 and Class 11 in some of India’s best private residential schools. Around 2,400 seats are on offer this year, and there is no application fee. Students have until November 30 to apply online.
Registrations began on Saturday, November 14, and the window stays open for just over two weeks. The entrance test itself will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2027, from 2 pm to 5 pm, in pen-and-paper mode across 192 cities in India.
For families who could never afford a top residential school, this is one of the most meaningful doors the government opens each year. The entire cost of schooling, including boarding, is covered under the scheme, so selection here can change the course of a student’s education.
What SHRESHTA Is
SHRESHTA stands for the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas. It is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the National Testing Agency conducts the entrance test on the ministry’s behalf.
Under the scheme, selected students get admission to reputed private residential schools for Class 9 and Class 11. The government bears the cost of their education and stay. This year, about 2,400 students will be selected, including 2,160 students from Scheduled Castes and 240 students from De-notified Tribes who are not covered under the Scheduled Caste category.
Who Can Apply
The test is open to boys and girls belonging to Scheduled Castes and De-notified Tribes. The key condition is family income: the parents’ annual income should not be more than Rs 2.5 lakh.
Candidates must be studying in the class below the one they are applying for. That means students currently in Class 8 can apply for admission to Class 9, and students currently in Class 10 can apply for admission to Class 11. There is no fee for submitting the application form.
- Category: Scheduled Caste and De-notified Tribe students
- Income limit: Parents’ annual income up to Rs 2.5 lakh
- Classes: Admission to Class 9 and Class 11
- Application fee: None
Important Dates to Remember
The schedule is tight, and there is no reason to wait till the last day. The application portal can slow down near the deadline, so families should finish the form early and keep a copy of the confirmation page.
- November 14, 2026: Online applications opened
- November 30, 2026: Last date to apply, up to 11:50 pm
- December 2 to 4, 2026: Correction window for submitted forms
- December 20, 2026: Exam city intimation slip released
- January 3, 2027: Admit cards available for download
- January 10, 2027: Entrance examination, 2 pm to 5 pm
The result date will be announced later on the official website. Admit cards will only be available online and will not be sent by post.
Exam Pattern: 100 Questions, 400 Marks
The SHRESHTA NETS 2027 paper will have 100 multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 400 marks. The questions are divided equally across four sections: Mathematics, Science, Social Science and General Awareness, with 25 questions in each.
The test runs for three hours. Candidates should plan their preparation around these four subjects and practise solving questions within a time limit, since speed matters as much as accuracy in a 100-question paper.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted only through the official portal, exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta. Candidates need to fill in their personal and academic details, upload the required documents and submit the form before 11:50 pm on November 30.
After submission, applicants should download and save the confirmation page. If any detail needs fixing, the correction window from December 2 to 4 is the only chance to edit the form, so it is worth checking every entry carefully before the window closes.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for SHRESHTA NETS 2027?
The last date is November 30, 2026, up to 11:50 pm. Applications are accepted only online at exams.nta.nic.in/shreshta.
How many seats are available under SHRESHTA NETS 2027?
Around 2,400 seats are available, including 2,160 for Scheduled Caste students and 240 for students from De-notified Tribes.
Is there an application fee for SHRESHTA NETS 2027?
No, there is no fee for online registration.
When will the SHRESHTA NETS 2027 exam be held?
The exam will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2027, from 2 pm to 5 pm, in pen-and-paper mode across 192 cities.
Who is eligible for SHRESHTA NETS 2027?
Students from Scheduled Castes and De-notified Tribes whose parents’ annual income is up to Rs 2.5 lakh can apply for admission to Class 9 and Class 11 in residential schools.
With the deadline just two weeks away, eligible students should not leave the application to the final days. A seat in a good residential school, fully funded, is an opportunity worth applying for on time.
