The residential Netarhat Public School offers Hindi and English medium education. A file picture

Ranchi, Aug. 24: It could well be termed the toughest admission test for getting into Class VI.

A preliminary examination, a written test, followed by the main examination, another written test, and then two rounds of aptitude tests and interview — just like the UPSC exam for IAS and other services — are the hurdles boys have to cross to step on to the portals of the Netarhat Public School.

The residential school modelled after public schools but with Hindi as the medium of instruction, was set up by the Bihar government over 50 years ago and is now managed by the Jharkhand government. With the introduction of the CBSE syllabus in 2003, the medium of instruction at the school is now both Hindi and English.

The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) is about to finalise the list of 100 successful boys who will be spending the next seven years at the prestigious school. The recommendation is likely to be made by the first week of September. The next session will start in January 2007.

As many as 1,500 students are learnt to have appeared at the preliminary test this year. Around 1,100 aspirants were eliminated at that stage while 406 boys were selected to appear in the “mains”. While the preliminary test was conducted on June 11, the main examination concluded on August 20. About 200 of the 406 boys are expected to be invited to take the aptitude tests and appear at the interview, with half those boys getting eliminated in the process.

JAC chairman Shaligram Yadav said the preliminary test consists of only one paper having 100 marks. The main test — comprising mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences and Hindi, carrying 100 marks each — is conducted in August. The selected students will have to undergo a medical test before they are admitted.

The fees are heavily subsidised by the government, and so the maximum payable is Rs 2,400 per year. Additional payments are realised for uniform and the mess but the charges are reasonable enough to allow bright boys from even poor families to study here.

The Netarhat Public School boasts of excellent infrastructure. The school also boasted of teachers appointed to hone debating, musical and theatrical skills of the students. The institution, however, sought to promote austerity and Gandhian values, making it mandatory for students to wash their clothes and utensils, prepare their own bed, etc.