Over 7 Lakh Gujarat School Students Register for CET as Interest in State-Run Schools Grows

With more than 7.17 lakh students currently attending school in Gujarat, it can be concluded that the interest of parents to enroll their children into the various types of merit-based education offered through state-run residential school systems continues to grow, as evidenced by the number of students who registered to take part in the Common Entrance Test (CET) on January 31st.

The Common Entrance Test (CET) is an important part of Class VI admission into the residential schools of Gnanshakti, Rakshashakti, and also establishes eligibility for the Chief Minister's Gnansetu Merit Scholarship.

According to the figures released from the Government of Gujarat, there was a 89,000-student increase in the number of participants this year compared to last year. This significant increase in the number of students taking part in this year's Common Entrance Test (CET) has been attributed to the increased public awareness of government assisted educational institutions (schools), which provide structured academic support, along with residential and financial assistance, primarily targeted toward meritorious students from rural and lower-income, and economically challenged communities.

The introduction of the Common Educational Test (CET) in the 2023–24 academic year has provided one location for students in Gujarat to find and apply for all education schemes offered by Gujarat thus far. The CET results will also be accepted at all Model Eklavya Residential Schools (EMRS) and Sainik Schools administered by the Gujarat State Tribal Education Society for the 2025–26 academic year.

As of December 24, students who have completed the 1st to 5th Grades at government or charter schools are eligible to take the CET to apply for admittance into Grade Six. Successful candidates will also be eligible for the Gnansetu Merit Scholarship, which provides financial support from Grade Six to Grade Twelve, thereby minimizing the risk of students dropping out of school during the secondary education phase. Students who studied at a self-financing institution can receive up to 25% from the reserved seats of Rakshashakti Schools depending on the CET Merit.

According to the State Exam Board the deadline for Online Registration for CET was 2nd December and Closed on 24th Dec. The CET will also be conducted in 2,729 testing centres over 23,898 testing blocks in the state of Gujarat, showing the extent to which the state is aiming to build a system of equal opportunity for public school access through a transparent and merit-based process.