Major News in Education Sector: State Government to Provide Free Coaching for JEE and NEET Exams

The state government is running various higher education programs, and with the goal of creating doctors and engineers from tribal students, the government has introduced free coaching for the JEE and NEET exams.

Currently, in Gujarat’s tribal areas, 44 schools are operational under the Gujarat State Tribal Education Society (GSTES), including 26 E.M.R.S, 9 G.L.R.S, and 9 Model E.M.R.S schools. These schools, in collaboration with voluntary organizations, provide free coaching for JEE and NEET entrance exams for admission to medical and engineering courses.

To obtain a medical degree from a prestigious college, students must pass the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) exam after completing their 12th grade science. In 2023, 825 tribal students appeared for the NEET exam, and in 2024, 1,015 tribal students took the test. 

Out of these, 364 students and 412 students passed the NEET exams, respectively. Additionally, in the academic year 2021, a student from EMRS Khodda-Tapi secured admission to IIT-Jodhpur in Civil Engineering, and in 2022, a student from EMRS Pardi gained admission to IIT-Gandhinagar in Material Science.

Progress in Higher Education for Tribal Students

In addition, during the past academic year 2023, 26 tribal students secured admission to MBBS programs, 94 students enrolled in BE/B.Tech courses, and approximately 330 students joined various paramedical and other professional courses, totaling over 450 students who have started their promising careers in higher education.

For obtaining an engineering degree from a prestigious national college, the JEE Mains (Joint Entrance Examination Mains) is conducted nationwide. In the past year 2023, 116 tribal students from Gujarat appeared for the JEE Mains exam, and in 2024, 136 tribal students took the test. Of these, 77 students and 82 students respectively passed the JEE Mains exam.

105 Schools for Tribal Areas in Gujarat

The Gujarat State Tribal Education Society is managing a total of 105 schools in tribal areas of Gujarat to ensure high-quality education for tribal children. These schools include:

• 48 Eklavya Model Residential Schools
• 43 Kanya Saksharta Residential Schools
• 12 Model Schools
• 2 Sainik Schools

These institutions operate across 15 tribal districts: Dangs, Valsad, Navsari, Tapi, Surat, Narmada, Vadodara, Chhota Udepur, Panchmahal, Dahod, Sabarkantha, Banas Kantha, Aravalli, Mahisagar, and Gir Somnath.