Why in news?

• Ministry of Education has joined hands with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for SHRESTHA.

About the scheme

• It targets the meritorious students of Scheduled Caste. It will also help to control the drop out of students from courses 9 to 12.
• The scheme will provide high quality residential schooling.
• To implement the scheme, NITI Aayog has recognized reputed non – public residential facilities in aspirational districts.
• The government has estimated that the scheme implementation will require Rs 300 crores.
• The scheme is expected to help more than 24,800 students in next five years.