The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially commenced the third round of e-counselling for the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) 2026–27. Designed to provide high-quality residential education to meritorious Scheduled Caste (SC) students, this scheme bridges the gap in areas lacking top-tier educational facilities.
If you are a student or a parent waiting for another chance to secure a seat in one of India’s best private residential schools, this third round is your opportunity. Here is everything you need to know about the NTA SHRESHTHA 2026-2027 THIRD ROUND REGISTRATION, choice filling, seat allotment, and results.
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Important Dates for Round 3
Timing is absolutely critical in this final stretch. Missing a deadline can result in losing out on a fully funded scholarship from Class 9 or 11 through Class 12.
| Activity | Critical Deadlines |
| Round 3 Registration, Choice Filling & Locking | June 10, 2026, to June 13, 2026 (until 23:59 IST) |
| Round 3 Seat Allotment Result | June 15, 2026 |
| Physical Reporting at Allotted School | June 16, 2026, to June 20, 2026 |
Eligible Candidates for 3rd Round of Counselling:
- Candidates, who did not register in Round 1 or 2, are eligible for 3rd Round of Counselling.
- Candidates, who registered in Round 1 or 2, but did not fill any choice in Round 1 and/or 2.
- Candidates, who have not been allotted any seat in Round 1 or 2, are eligible for 3rd Round of Counselling.
- Candidates, who have been allotted any seat in Round 1 or 2, but did not report at allotted school, are eligible for 3rd Round of Counselling.
Not Eligible Candidates for 3rd Round of Counselling
- Candidates, who have reported at allotted school in Round 1 or 2.
Choice Filling Rules
- Fresh Choice Filling is MANDATORY for all candidates participating in the 3rd Round of Counselling.
- Choices submitted in earlier rounds will not be considered for the 3rd Round of Counselling.
- Eligible candidates who have submitted choices in any previous round and are participating in the 3rd Round must submit fresh choices. Failure to do so will result in their exclusion from the 3rd Round seat allocation process.
- Candidates may be allowed to exercise their choice of schools from any State/UT against the available vacancies in 3rd round of counselling.
Step-by-Step Procedure
To avoid mistakes that could lead to disqualification, follow this specific order when managing your online portal.
1.Verify Eligibility:Prerequisite.
Ensure you qualify for Round 3. You are eligible if you never registered in Rounds 1 or 2, registered but filled no choices, were never allotted a seat, or were allotted a seat but could not report. If you already reported to a school in previous rounds, you are not eligible.
2.Complete Online Registration:Deadline: June 13, 2026.
Log in to the official admission portal (shreshta.admissions.nic.in). If you are a unregistered candidate, complete your basic profile registration to obtain your application ID.
3.Mandatory Fresh Choice Filling:Do not skip.
Select your preferred residential schools from the available vacancies. Important: You must submit fresh choices. Any selections made in Round 1 or Round 2 are completely wiped out and will not be considered.
4.Lock Your Choices:Before 23:59 PM on June 13.
Review your list carefully. You can choose schools from any State/UT where vacancies exist. Once satisfied, lock your choices. Unlocked choices will be automatically locked by the system at the deadline.
Seat Allotment & Results
The NTA SHRESHTHA 2026-2027 THIRD ROUND REGISTRATION process directly leads to the electronic allocation of seats based on the student’s merit rank, category validation, and school preferences.
The Seat Allotment Result will be released on June 15, 2026. Students can log in with their application number and password to view their status.
Critical Note on Reporting: If you are successfully allocated a seat, you must download your allotment letter and physically report to the designated school between June 16 and June 20, 2026. Failure to report with original documents (Income certificate under ₹2.5 Lakhs, SC Category certificate, Aadhaar, and school transcripts) within this window will result in the forfeiture of your seat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is eligible for the NTA SHRESHTHA 2026-2027 Third Round Registration?
Candidates who fit into any of the following categories can register for Round 3:
- Fresh candidates who didn’t register in Round 1 or Round 2.
- Registered candidates who forgot or missed filling choices in earlier rounds.
- Candidates who were not allotted any seat in previous rounds.
- Candidates who were allotted a seat but failed to report to the school.
2. Can I use the school choices I saved during the second round?
No. Fresh choice filling is mandatory for all participants in the third round. Your previous choices are invalid. If you do not submit a brand new list of school preferences, you will be completely excluded from the allotment process.
3. What costs does the SHRESHTHA scholarship cover?
The government covers the entire expense of the student’s education. This includes tuition fees, hostel charges, mess/food costs, uniforms, and learning materials from the time of admission up until the completion of Class 12.
4. Can I select schools outside of my home state?
Yes. For the third round of counselling, eligible candidates are allowed to exercise their choice of private residential schools from any State or UT across India where vacant seats are available.
5. What should I do if a school offers to fill choices on my behalf?
The NTA has issued a strict warning stating that participating schools are forbidden from changing candidate login credentials or filling choices on their behalf. Keep your password confidential to avoid malpractices. If you notice suspicious activity, report it immediately to the SHRESHTA Director.