NESTS and Avanti Fellows Sign MoU to Coach Tribal Youth for JEE & NEET

In a landmark initiative to foster inclusive education and empower India's tribal youth, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Avanti Fellows, a prominent public charitable trust. This collaboration is aimed at providing specialized coaching support for two of the most competitive national-level examinations—JEE (Main and Advanced) and NEET—exclusively for tribal students enrolled in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).

A Five-Year Vision for Academic Equity

The MoU, signed in July 2025, marks the beginning of a five-year partnership that will be operational from the academic year 2025–26. At its core, this initiative seeks to bridge the academic and resource gap often faced by tribal students, helping them realize their full potential and aspire toward premier institutions in engineering and medicine.

The collaboration is part of NESTS’s broader vision to transform EMRSs into hubs of academic excellence. Under the terms of the agreement, comprehensive coaching will be provided that includes classroom teaching, digital content, test series, doubt resolution sessions, mentorship, and career guidance.

Launch of First CoE in Bhopal

A dedicated Center of Excellence (CoE) will be established at the EMRS in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. This pilot CoE will serve 80 selected students who will gain admission through a structured entrance examination designed to identify the most academically promising candidates among tribal youth.

This center will act as a model for future expansions. Plans are already underway to replicate similar CoEs in other regions and states, significantly scaling up the outreach and ensuring broader geographic representation.

Role of Avanti Fellows

Avanti Fellows brings a wealth of experience in coaching underserved students for competitive exams. With a proven track record in using a blended learning model that combines in-person teaching with tech-enabled self-learning tools, Avanti will be responsible for developing curriculum content, teacher training, and continuous academic monitoring.

Avanti’s engagement goes beyond coaching—it includes a strong focus on building confidence, developing problem-solving skills, and nurturing a growth mindset among students, which is critical for succeeding in high-pressure exams like JEE and NEET.

Strengthening Tribal Education Through EMRSs

NESTS, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, manages a growing network of Eklavya Model Residential Schools across India. These schools are specially designed to provide quality education to tribal students in remote areas, including hostel facilities, extracurricular support, and now, coaching for competitive exams.

This MoU aligns with the Ministry's long-term objective of preparing tribal youth for mainstream opportunities while preserving their cultural identity. By equipping them with high-quality academic support, the partnership is expected to significantly increase the representation of tribal students in India’s top engineering and medical institutions.

Looking Ahead

The NESTS-Avanti partnership is more than a coaching program—it is a step toward educational justice. As the initiative expands to include more students and more states, it is expected to redefine the career trajectory of thousands of tribal youth across India. The partnership holds the promise of creating not just successful individuals but also empowered communities, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and aspirational India.