In a significant step toward educational empowerment and inclusion, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Avanti Fellows to provide free, high-quality coaching for IIT-JEE and NEET aspirants from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). The partnership will be effective from the academic year 2025–26 and is aimed at transforming the academic prospects of tribal students across India.
As part of this initiative, a Centre of Excellence (CoE) will be established at EMRS Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), where a specially selected batch of 80 meritorious students will receive rigorous academic coaching for India’s top engineering and medical entrance examinations. The program will combine structured academic content, performance tracking, personalized mentorship, and digital learning tools, tailored to the unique needs of tribal students.
The collaboration between NESTS and Avanti Fellows seeks to bridge the educational equity gap by bringing top-tier competitive exam preparation to underrepresented communities. Students will benefit from a well-designed curriculum, expert faculty, peer-learning environments, and the motivation necessary to compete on a national level. The program also emphasizes the development of self-confidence, resilience, and long-term academic planning.
By focusing on inclusive education, the initiative aligns with the broader vision of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Government of India to uplift tribal communities through targeted interventions in education and skill development. The partnership aims to create a scalable model that can eventually be replicated across other EMRSs in the country.
Speaking about the collaboration, NESTS officials highlighted the importance of providing equal access to high-quality educational opportunities to tribal youth, while Avanti Fellows emphasized their commitment to democratizing competitive exam preparation and ensuring that no talented student is left behind due to socio-economic barriers.
This MoU marks a progressive step in India’s journey toward socially inclusive academic excellence. Through this initiative, tribal students will not only gain the tools and guidance to crack competitive exams like IIT-JEE and NEET but also realize their full potential and become agents of change in their communities.
