If you are a Class 12 science student in a Delhi government or government-aided school and are preparing for NEET-UG, there is a scheme worth knowing about. The Delhi government has asked its schools to make students aware of a free, fully residential coaching programme for NEET and JEE run by the Dakshana Foundation, a Pune-based organisation known for training underprivileged students for competitive exams. Selected students get a full year of coaching, food and accommodation at no cost, at the foundation's campus in Kadus village near Pune. Entry is not automatic — it depends on clearing a separate selection test in December 2026. For families who cannot afford private NEET coaching, this is a genuine, low-risk opportunity worth exploring now, well before the test window opens.
Class 12 students in Delhi government or government-aided schools can get a completely free, residential year of NEET/JEE coaching through Dakshana Foundation, but only after clearing the Joint Dakshana Selection Test (JDST) 2027 expected in December 2026.
What exactly has been announced
The Delhi government has instructed heads of government and government-aided schools to inform their current Class 12 science students about a scholarship-based residential coaching programme for NEET and JEE, delivered by the Dakshana Foundation. The programme runs for one academic year and is offered entirely free — no tuition fee, no hostel charge, no food cost is passed on to the student or family.
This is not a new government-run coaching centre in Delhi. It is a government-facilitated pathway into an existing, established scholarship programme that Dakshana Foundation has run for years for economically disadvantaged, academically strong students from across India.
Where the coaching happens and what it includes
Selected students move to Dakshana Valley, the foundation's residential campus in Kadus village, Pune district, Maharashtra, for the full duration of the programme. This means students relocate away from home for the year — an important practical detail for families to plan around.
The package covers coaching for NEET and JEE, along with boarding (accommodation) and food at the campus. Families are not expected to bear any of these costs once a student is selected.
- Duration: one year, residential
- Location: Dakshana Valley, Kadus village, Pune, Maharashtra
- Cost to student/family: nil — coaching, food and stay are all covered
- Eligible schools: Delhi government and government-aided schools (as per the directive)
How students get in: the JDST 2027
Admission into the programme is not based on school marks or the government's recommendation alone. Students must appear for and clear the Joint Dakshana Selection Test (JDST) 2027, which is scheduled for December 2026. This is a competitive entrance test conducted by the foundation itself, and only those who clear it are offered the free residential seat.
In effect, the Delhi government's role here is limited to making sure eligible students in its schools know that this option exists and are encouraged to attempt the selection test. The actual selection, seat allotment and coaching delivery remain with Dakshana Foundation.
Why this matters for NEET aspirants and families
Private NEET coaching in India, especially residential programmes, can cost anywhere from a few lakh rupees to significantly more for a full year, which puts it out of reach for many families. A free residential slot removes that financial barrier entirely for students who clear the selection test.
It is also worth being realistic: this is a scholarship-linked opportunity with limited seats, decided through a competitive test, not a guaranteed entitlement for every Class 12 science student in a Delhi government school. Students should treat the JDST as seriously as they would treat NEET itself, since it is the actual gatekeeper to the free coaching.
Relocating to a residential campus for a year is also a significant life decision for a 17–18-year-old and their family — it affects schooling continuity, board exam logistics, and time away from home during a formative year. This should be discussed and planned for in advance, not decided at the last moment after clearing the test.
What to do now if you are interested
Since the JDST 2027 is expected only in December 2026, students currently in Class 12 have a runway to prepare, but should not wait until close to the date to start looking into details.
Because the announcement flows through school administration, the school itself is the first and most reliable point of contact for exact eligibility rules, registration process and test pattern once the foundation releases them.
- Ask your school's principal or class teacher whether your school has received the official communication and notification link
- Check the Dakshana Foundation's own website closer to the test date for JDST 2027 registration details, eligibility criteria and syllabus
- Continue regular NEET/JEE preparation in parallel — do not pause board exam or NEET study while waiting for JDST details
- Discuss the residential-relocation aspect with your family early, so it is not a last-minute decision if you clear the test
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
Is this free coaching open to private school students in Delhi too?
Based on the government's directive, it is specifically aimed at students in Delhi government and government-aided schools, whose heads have been asked to inform Class 12 science students about the programme.
What is the JDST and why does it matter?
The Joint Dakshana Selection Test (JDST) 2027 is the entrance test conducted by Dakshana Foundation to select students for its free residential coaching programme. Clearing it is required to get a seat — informing students about the scheme does not itself guarantee admission.
When will the JDST 2027 be held?
It is scheduled for December 2026, as per the current announcement. Students should watch for the foundation's official notification closer to that date for exact dates and registration steps.
Does 'free' really mean no hidden costs?
As announced, the one-year residential programme covers coaching, food and accommodation at the Dakshana Valley campus in Pune at no cost to selected students. Families should still confirm any incidental details directly with the foundation once selected.
Does joining this programme guarantee a NEET or JEE seat?
No. It provides structured coaching and residential support for a year, similar to other serious coaching programmes, but qualifying NEET or JEE still depends on the student's own performance in the actual national exam.
What happens to my regular schooling if I move to Pune for this programme?
Since this is a residential year away from home, families need to plan for how board exam registration, attendance and other school formalities will be handled. These specifics should be confirmed with your school and with Dakshana Foundation before accepting a seat.
This scheme is a genuine relief for Delhi government-school students who want serious NEET or JEE preparation but cannot afford private coaching fees — provided they clear the JDST 2027 in December 2026. Interested students should confirm details with their school now, keep preparing steadily in the meantime, and watch Dakshana Foundation's official channels for the test notification closer to the date.
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