Eklavya Model Residential Schools — Free Tribal Education

What is an Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)?

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are government-funded residential schools exclusively for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, providing free quality education from Class 6 to Class 12 including accommodation, food, uniforms, books, and all other facilities. The scheme is run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs through the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS).

The goal is to bring quality education on par with Navodaya Vidyalayas to tribal students in remote areas.

Key Benefits

Who is Eligible?

You ARE eligible if:

• You belong to a Scheduled Tribe (ST) community
• You are applying for Class 6 admission (entry point)
• You have passed Class 5 from a recognized school in the same block/district
• You come from the tribal sub-plan area or block where the EMRS is located (priority to local tribal areas)
• Your family's annual income is below ₹2 lakh (preference to lower income — check specific school's criteria)

Age limit: Usually 10–12 years at the time of Class 6 admission.

Lateral entry: Some EMRS schools allow Class 7–9 lateral admissions if seats are vacant — check with the specific school.

Documents Required

1. Caste (Tribe) certificate — ST certificate issued by competent authority
2. Class 5 marksheet and school leaving certificate
3. Date of birth proof (birth certificate or Aadhaar)
4. Domicile/residence proof — of the block/district
5. Income certificate — issued by tahsildar
6. Aadhaar Card — child and parent
7. Passport-size photographs

How to Apply — Step by Step

Step 1 — Find Your Nearest EMRS

EMRS schools are set up in blocks with ≥50% ST population. Find EMRS in your area:

• Visit emrs.tribal.gov.in → School List
• Contact your District Tribal Welfare Officer

Step 2 — Get the Admission Form

• Download from emrs.tribal.gov.in
• Or collect from the EMRS school directly
• Or from the District Tribal Welfare Office

Step 3 — Fill and Submit

Submit the completed form with all documents to:

• The EMRS Principal, OR
• District Tribal Welfare Officer

Step 4 — Entrance Test

EMRS conducts a written entrance examination — covering:

• Mathematics
• Language (Hindi / regional)
• General Knowledge/Environment

Top-scoring eligible ST students are admitted based on merit.

Step 5 — Merit List and Admission

A merit list is published. Selected students and parents are called for document verification and admission formalities.

NESTS — Centralized Management

From 2018–19, EMRS schools are managed centrally by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS). NESTS standardized curriculum, teacher recruitment, and quality assurance across all EMRS schools.

Check school-specific admission notices at: emrs.tribal.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there an EMRS in every district?

The government aims to have one EMRS in every block with ≥50% ST population. By 2026, over 700 EMRS schools are planned across India. Check emrs.tribal.gov.in for the current list.

2. What class does EMRS start admission for?

The primary entry point is Class 6. Some schools also have Class 9 entry if seats are available.

3. My daughter is ST but we live in a non-tribal area. Is she eligible?

Eligibility typically requires that the student's school (Class 5) was in the block or tribal sub-plan area of that EMRS. Students from non-tribal urban areas generally are not the target — but contact the District Tribal Welfare Officer to confirm.

4. Is there an EMRS entrance exam preparation guide?

The entrance exam covers Class 4–5 level Math, Language, and GK. Standard Class 5 NCERT textbooks are sufficient preparation material. Some states provide sample question papers.

5. Can students from other states join an EMRS?

Generally, EMRS schools admit local ST students from the same state. Inter-state admission is not typically allowed except in special circumstances.

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