Archive · 22 Jul 2026
West Bengal Tribal Schools Transition to CBSE
West Bengal's eight tribal schools, called Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), are changing their education system.
They will now follow the CBSE curriculum and have entrance exams for admissions instead of a lottery.
This change is happening because the schools are being brought under a national body called NESTS.
The funding for each student will also increase significantly.
However, there is some uncertainty about the future of the teachers currently working in these schools.
One of the schools, run by the Ramakrishna Mission in Jhargram, is waiting for clarity on how this change will affect its administration.
Some people think entrance exams might be hard for students from remote tribal areas, but others believe that students can adapt, as seen in other states like Odisha and Jharkhand.
West Bengal's eight EMRS schools will transition to CBSE curriculum and entrance-based admissions under NESTS.
Funding per student will increase from Rs 61,000 to Rs 1.47 lakh annually.
The Ramakrishna Mission-run EMRS at Jhargram awaits clarity on its administrative future.
Current teachers' status under the new system is uncertain.
The transition aims to align West Bengal's EMRS with the national model, but concerns exist about the impact on remote tribal students.
- Who
- West Bengal's eight Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and the Ramakrishna Mission-run EMRS at Jhargram
- What
- Transition to CBSE curriculum and entrance-based admissions under NESTS
- When
- Starting from the 2027-28 academic session
- Where
- West Bengal, India
- Why
- To align with the national EMRS model and enhance educational quality and funding
Supporters of Entrance-Based Admissions
Critics of Entrance-Based Admissions
Admission Process
Supporters of Entrance-Based Admissions
Entrance exams will ensure that the most talented students from economically weaker Scheduled Tribe families receive quality education.
Critics of Entrance-Based Admissions
Entrance exams may disadvantage students from remote tribal areas, especially first-generation learners and those from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
- Number of EMRS in West Bengal
- 8
- Administrative Body
- National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS)
- Current Admission Process
- Lottery system
- New Admission Process
- Common entrance examination
- Current Annual Funding per Student
- Rs 61,000
- New Annual Funding per Student
- Rs 1.47 lakh
- Transition Timeline
- 2027-28 academic session
- Unique School
- Ramakrishna Mission-run EMRS at Jhargram