Introduction
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization established under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, invites online applications from eligible and interested Indian Citizens for direct recruitment to various teaching and non-teaching posts in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). The posts include Principal, Post Graduate Teachers (PGT), Trained Graduate Teachers (TGT), Hostel Warden (Male & Female), Female Staff Nurse, Accountant, Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), and Lab Attendant.
All staff are required to perform residential duties. EMRS staff are eligible for a special pay of 10% of their basic pay. Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India. EMRS schools provide quality education to ST category students from Class VI to XII.
Important Dates
- Online Application Submission Last Date: 23.10.2025 (up to 23:50 Hrs.)
- Eligibility Criteria Cut-off Date: 23.10.2025
- Date of Examination – Tier I & II: Will be notified on the NESTS website.
- Admit Card Download: Will be notified on the NESTS website.
Application Fee
Mode of Payment: Online only (Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/UPI).
Fee Structure (Non-refundable):
- For Female, SC, ST & PwBD candidates:
- Principal: Application Fee ₹0 + Processing Fee ₹500 = Total ₹500
- PGT & TGTs: Application Fee ₹0 + Processing Fee ₹500 = Total ₹500
- Non-Teaching Staff: Application Fee ₹0 + Processing Fee ₹500 = Total ₹500
- For candidates other than Female, SC, ST & PwBD candidates:
- Principal: Application Fee ₹2000 + Processing Fee ₹500 = Total ₹2500
- PGT & TGTs: Application Fee ₹1500 + Processing Fee ₹500 = Total ₹2000
- Non-Teaching Staff: Application Fee ₹1000 + Processing Fee ₹500 = Total ₹1500
Processing charges and Goods & Service Taxes (GST) are to be borne by the candidate.
Vacancy Details (Tentative)
- Total Vacancies: 7267
- Post-wise Vacancies:
- Principal: 225
- Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs): 1460
- Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs): 3962
- Female Staff Nurse: 550
- Hostel Warden: 635 (Male: 346, Female: 289)
- Accountant: 61
- Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA): 228
- Lab Attendant: 146
Detailed subject-wise and category-wise breakup is available in the official Information Bulletin.
Post Details and Level of Pay
- Principal: Level 12 (Rs. 78800-209200/-)
- Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs): Level 8 (Rs. 47600-151100/-)
- Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs): Level 7 (Rs. 44900-142400/-)
- Librarian: Level 7 (Rs. 44900-142400/-)
- Art/Music/Physical Education Teacher (Male/Female): Level 6 (Rs. 35400-112400/-)
- Female Staff Nurse: Level 5 (Rs. 29200-92300/-)
- Hostel Warden (Male/Female): Level 5 (Rs. 29200-92300/-)
- Accountant: Level 6 (Rs. 35400-112400/-)
- Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA): Level 2 (Rs. 19900-63200/-)
- Lab Attendant: Level 1 (Rs. 18000-56900/-)
Scheme of Examination
- Mode of Examination:
- Tier-I (Preliminary - Qualifying): OMR Based (Pen-Paper) - Objective type.
- Tier-II: Combination of descriptive questions and MCQ OMR Based (Pen-Paper).
- After Tier-II: An interview will be conducted for the post of Principal, and a skill test for the post of Junior Secretariat Assistant.
- Medium of Examination: Bilingual (Hindi and English). The Language Competency Test (Regional Language) and the TGT (Regional Language) exams will be conducted in the respective regional languages.
Exam Pattern (Tier-I Preliminary - Total 100 Marks):
- Principal (Duration: 2 hours):
- Reasoning & Numeric Ability: 10 questions, 10 marks
- General Awareness: 10 questions, 10 marks
- Academics and residential aspects: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Administration and Finance: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Language Competency Test (General English & General Hindi - 10 marks each): 20 questions, 20 marks
- PGTs (Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes):
- General Awareness: 10 questions, 10 marks
- Reasoning Ability: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Knowledge of ICT: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Teaching Aptitude: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Domain Knowledge (Experiential activity-based pedagogy & NEP-2020): 30 questions, 30 marks
- Language Competency Test (General English & General Hindi - 10 marks each subject): 20 questions, 20 marks (Qualifying in nature, min 40% aggregate, i.e., 8 out of 20).
- TGTs (Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes):
- General Awareness: 10 questions, 10 marks
- Reasoning Ability: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Knowledge of ICT: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Teaching Aptitude: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Domain Knowledge (Subject specific syllabus, Experiential pedagogy & NEP-2020): 30 questions, 30 marks
- Language Competency General English, General Hindi and Regional Language* (10 marks each subject): 30 questions, 30 marks (Qualifying in nature, min 40% aggregate, i.e., 12 out of 30).
- *Regional languages include Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Garo, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Khasi, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Mizo, Nepali, Odiya, Santhali, Telugu, Urdu.
- Hostel Warden (Male and Female) (Duration: 2 hours):
- General Awareness: 10 questions, 10 marks
- Reasoning Ability: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Knowledge of ICT: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Language Competency General English, General Hindi and Regional Language* (10 marks each subject): 30 questions, 30 marks
- Accountant (Duration: 2 hours):
- General Awareness: 10 questions, 10 marks
- Reasoning Ability: 20 questions, 20 marks
- Knowledge of ICT: 20 questions, 20 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Language Competency General English & General Hindi (10 marks each subject): 20 questions, 20 marks
- Female Staff Nurse (Duration: 2 hours):
- General Awareness: 10 questions, 10 marks
- Reasoning Ability: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Knowledge of ICT: 15 questions, 15 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Language Competency General English, General Hindi & Regional Language* (10 marks each subject): 30 questions, 30 marks
- Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) (Duration: 2 hours):
- Reasoning Ability: 25 questions, 25 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 25 questions, 25 marks
- General Awareness: 20 questions, 20 marks
- Basic Knowledge of Computer Operation: 10 questions, 10 marks
- Language Competency Test (General English): 10 questions, 10 marks
- Language Competency Test (General Hindi): 10 questions, 10 marks
- Tier-III: Typing Test (50 marks, 20 qualifying marks). Candidates will be called in a 1:3 ratio based on Tier-II merit for the typing test.
- Lab Attendant (Duration: 2 hours):
- Reasoning Ability: 25 questions, 25 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 25 questions, 25 marks
- General Awareness: 20 questions, 20 marks
- Basic Knowledge of Computer Operation: 10 questions, 10 marks
- Language Competency Test (General English): 10 questions, 10 marks
- Language Competency Test (General Hindi): 10 questions, 10 marks
Tier-II (Subject Knowledge Examination): For all posts, Tier-II will consist of Objective (40 questions, 40 marks) and Descriptive (15 questions, 60 marks) questions, totaling 55 questions and 100 marks, with a duration of 3 hours. The subject-specific syllabus is uploaded on the NESTS website.
Merit List Preparation:
- Principal: Tier-II (80% weightage) + Interview (20% weightage).
- PGT/TGT/Hostel Warden/Accountant/Female Staff Nurse/Lab Attendant: Based on Tier-II only.
- JSA: Based on Tier-II performance and a qualifying typing test.
Marking Scheme
- One mark will be awarded for every correct answer.
- 1/3 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
- Unanswered questions will not be given any marks.
Eligibility Criteria & Qualification
Age Limit (as on 23.10.2025)
- Principal: Not exceeding 50 years.
- PGTs/PGT (Computer Science): Not exceeding 40 years.
- TGTs/Art Teacher/Music Teacher/Physical Education Teacher/Librarian/Female Staff Nurse/Hostel Warden: Not exceeding 35 years.
- Accountant/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)/Lab Attendant: Not exceeding 30 years.
Age Relaxation Policy (as on 23.10.2025)
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- Candidates with 3 years continuous service in Central Govt. (same or allied cadres): 5 years
- Persons ordinarily domiciled in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir (01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989): 5 years
- Women (All Categories) (only if applying for PGTs / TGTs posts): 10 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) (including women):
- SC/ST PwBD: 15 years
- OBC PwBD: 13 years
- General PwBD: 10 years
- For other than permanent employees working in EMRS (as on 01.07.2025): Up to 55 years
- EMRS employees (appointed on regular basis): Up to 55 years
- Ex-Servicemen: Deduction of service period from actual age + 3 years.
Note: The maximum age limit after all relaxations shall not exceed 55 years.
Essential Qualifications (Detailed on NESTS website)
- Principal:
- Master's Degree (min. 50% marks).
- B.Ed. (min. 50% marks) OR Three-year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. (min. 50% marks) OR Four-year integrated graduation degree with B.Ed. component (min. 50% marks).
- Experience: Analogous post, or Vice-Principal/Assistant Education Officer (Level 10 with 9 years combined PGT/Vice-Principal service), or PGT/Lecturer (Level 8 with 12 years regular service).
- Desirable: Experience in a fully residential school, English/Hindi/Regional Language proficiency, computer knowledge.
- PGTs:
- Integrated Post Graduate Course OR Post Graduation (Master) Degree (min. 50% marks) in the concerned subject. B.Ed. is required for future promotion.
- Subject-specific requirements for English, Hindi, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Economics, Biology, History, Geography, Commerce (refer to detailed bulletin, pages 23-24).
- PGT (Computer Science): M.Sc. (Computer Science / IT) / MCA / M.E. or M.Tech. (Computer Science / IT) from a recognized institution with at least 50% marks.
- Desirable (PGT Computer Science): TGT experience in concerned subject, residential school experience, computer knowledge.
- TGTs:
- Bachelor Graduation Degree OR Four-year integrated graduation degree course OR Bachelors/Honours Degree (min. 50% marks) in all subjects.
- B.Ed. Degree (min. 50% marks) OR Three years integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. (min. 50% marks).
- Qualified in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (Paper-II) conducted by the Government of India.
- Specific subject combinations for Hindi, English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, and Regional Languages (refer to detailed bulletin, pages 26-27).
- TGT (Music): Bachelor's Degree in Music / Performing Arts from a UGC recognized institution with at least 50% marks.
- TGT (Art): Bachelor's degree in Drawing and Painting / Sculpture / Graphic Art / Fine Arts / Visual art (min. 50% marks).
- Physical Education Teacher (PET): Four-year integrated B.P. Ed. OR Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and Sports OR Bachelor's degree with Physical Education as an elective subject (min. 50% marks) and participation in National/State/Inter-University competitions. B.P. Ed. of at least one year.
- Librarian: Bachelor's Degree in Library Science OR Bachelor Degree in Library & Information Science OR Integrated Master of Library & Information Science from a recognized institution with at least 50% marks.
- Female Staff Nurse:
- B.Sc. (Hons.) in Nursing OR Regular B.Sc. Nursing OR Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing from a recognized University / Institute.
- Registered as a Nurse or Nurse Mid-wife (RN or RM) with any State Nursing Council.
- Two and half years' experience in a minimum 50-bedded Hospital after acquiring the nursing qualification.
- Desirable: Experience in a residential school, computer applications knowledge.
- Hostel Warden: Four years integrated graduation degree course of Regional College of Education of NCERT or other NCTE recognized institution in concerned subject. OR Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university / institute.
- Accountant: Bachelors Degree in Commerce from a recognized University / Institute. (Bachelors in Business Administration is not eligible).
- Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA):
- Senior Secondary (Class XII) certificate from a recognized Board.
- Possessing a minimum speed of 35 words per minute in English typing or 30 words per minute in Hindi typing.
- Lab Attendant:
- 10th Class Pass with a certificate/diploma in Laboratory technique from a recognized board/institute. OR
- 12th Class with Science stream from a recognized board/institute.
Note: For all teaching posts, proficiency in teaching in English & Hindi is required.
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Reservation Policy
Candidates whose family gross annual income is below Rs. 8 Lakh (from all sources) are eligible. The EWS certificate must be based on income for the financial year 2024-25. Exclusions apply for candidates owning specific agricultural land or residential property. The definition of 'Family' includes the candidate, parents, siblings below 18, spouse, and children below 18. The certificate must be issued by a competent authority, valid as on the online application cut-off date.
Other Backward Class – Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL)
27% reservation is applicable as per Government of India rules. The OBC NCL certificate must be based on income for the financial year 2024-25 and issued on or before the closing date for application.
Facilities for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)
Scribe facility is available for PwBD of 40% or more, or those with writing limitations (blindness, locomotor disability-BA, cerebral palsy). PwBD candidates can bring their own scribe. Compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of examination is allowed. Reservation is as per RPwD Act 2016 and DEPwD notification. Functional requirements and suitable categories for PwBD for each post are detailed in the bulletin (pages 10-11).
General Instructions
- Candidates must apply exclusively through the 'Online' mode.
- Ensure all particulars, especially category and PwBD status, are filled correctly in Part-A. No changes to Part-A will be allowed after filling Part-B.
- Candidates may apply for more than one post if eligible, but only one application is allowed for various PGT posts and one for various TGT posts. Separate fees are required for each post applied.
- Multiple applications for the same post will result in cancellation.
- Preserve your Login ID and password for future reference.
- All information provided in the application form will be treated as final; no changes will be permitted after submission.
- Recruitment will adhere to the latest NESTS recruitment rules.
- Selected candidates will undergo an initial two-year probation period, which may be extended.
- Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 30% for General, OBC, EWS categories and 25% for SC, ST, PwBD categories in the Tier-II examination.
- The final selection for all posts (except Principal) is based on Tier-II merit. For Principal, it includes Tier-II and an interview.
- Selected candidates are liable to be posted anywhere in India.
- A printout of the online application confirmation page must be retained and presented during document verification/interview.
- Admit Cards will be issued online on the NESTS website; no physical admit cards will be sent.
- Candidates must report to the examination center 2 hours prior to the exam start time.
- On the day of examination, candidates must bring the downloaded Admit Card, a passport-size photograph, and an original, valid, non-expired photo ID.
- PwBD candidates claiming compensatory time/scribe must present relevant certificates.
- Strictly prohibited items in the examination hall include instruments, stationery, textual material, eatables, water bottles, mobile phones, and all electronic gadgets.
- All rough work must be done only in the space provided in the Test Booklet.
Unfair Means Practices
Any act deemed to gain an unfair advantage (e.g., possessing prohibited items, impersonation, rule breaches, assisting others, unauthorized communication, document manipulation, electronic device use, etc.) will be considered unfair means. Candidates engaging in such practices will face disqualification, criminal proceedings, and cancellation of their result.
Syllabus
The detailed syllabus for all posts is available on the NESTS website: https://nests.tribal.gov.in