300 ST Students to Get Sponsored NEET, JEE Coaching by Jharkhand Govt

The initiative is open to students in Jharkhand who have passed their Class 10 board exams from JAC, CBSE, or ICSE boards.

The Jharkhand government has launched a new program to provide fully funded tutoring to 300 Scheduled Tribe (ST) students preparing for competitive entrance exams such as the NEET and JEE. Announced by the state's Social Welfare Department, the initiative targets academically deserving students who have passed the 10th grade and are currently pursuing higher secondary education, with the aim of improving their chances of entering medical and engineering colleges through national-level entrance exams.

Under the program, selected students will be offered free residential tutoring, along with study materials, mock exams, and academic mentoring until they complete grade 12. The initiative is open to students in Jharkhand who have passed the Grade 10 exams from the JAC, CBSE, or ICSE boards. The state will select reputable tutoring institutions with a proven success rate in preparing for the NEET and JEE exams through a formal bidding process.

Chamra Linda, Minister of SC/ST and Disadvantaged Classes Welfare, affirmed that the government is committed to ensuring that no talented tribal student is left behind due to lack of access to quality education and exam preparation. "This is not just academic support, but an investment in future doctors and engineers from marginalized communities," she stated.

This measure is considered a revitalization and restructuring of the previous "Akanksha" program, which offered free tutoring for multiple competitive exams. However, the current program has a more targeted approach, targeting only NEET and JEE students, and only ST students. Social welfare department officials reported that some students will remain in hostels and continue their 11th and 12th grade studies, in addition to receiving tutoring.

The program is expected to open applications soon, and eligible students will be notified through official channels. The mentoring program will begin in the 2025-26 academic year. Education activists have welcomed the decision, calling it a step toward equitable access to elite vocational education for tribal youth.