The Dakshana Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States, a recognized charity in India through Dakshana India Educational Trust, and a registered charity in Canada. This foundation aims to provide students from rural India the opportunity to prepare for entrance exams to India’s top engineering and medical institutions.
Program Overview
Dakshana offers a specialized two-year coaching program primarily for students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV). Since its inception in 2007, over 5,000 students have benefited from this program. Among them, 1,632+ Dakshana Scholars have successfully cracked the JEE Advanced, entering IITs, while others have secured places in NITs and other prestigious institutions in India through exams like JEE Mains and AIEEE. This demonstrates Dakshana’s commitment to empowering students for careers in engineering and science.
The two-year coaching program operates at six JNV campuses across India:
- JNV Bengaluru Urban (Karnataka)
- JNV Bundi (Rajasthan)
- JNV Kottayam (Kerala)
- JNV Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
- JNV Pune (Maharashtra)
- JNV Bengaluru Rural (Karnataka)
In 2016, the first Dakshana-Navodaya Excellence Center (COE) was inaugurated at JNV Bengaluru Urban, representing a successful public-private partnership between Dakshana and the Government of India.
Fellowship Year Overview
Students are selected for Dakshana’s coaching program when they are in Class 10, based on their performance in the Dakshana-owned entrance exam known as Navodaya Dakshana Selection Test (NDST).
Navodaya COE Selection Test (NCST)
The NCST is conducted annually across more than 600 centers nationwide. It consists of four sections:
- Logical Reasoning
- Mathematics/Biology
- Physics
- Chemistry
The questions follow the NCERT curriculum for Class 9 and 10, though the difficulty level may be higher.
Eligibility Criteria
Students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) who have excelled in internal exams during Classes 9 and 10 are invited to take the NCST. Dakshana only accepts results through the respective JNV’s regional office, and non-JNV students are not eligible for the program.
Application Process
Once invited for the NCST, JNV students must fill out the NCST application form on the Dakshana website. The list of selected students is published a month before the exam. Typically, the results are announced in the first week of April/May.
Students who qualify for Dakshana’s coaching program are then sent to the designated JNV campus, where they receive world-class preparation for IIT or Medical Entrance Exams.
Dakshana Foundation: How It Works
The Dakshana Foundation operates through four core pillars:
- Registered in the United States as a 501(c)(3) public charity.
- Recognized Charity in India through Dakshana India Educational Trust.
- Registered Charity in Canada.
- Global Network: Dakshana has a strong alumni base, with over 2,575 volunteers (as of 2017) who contribute to its mission of spreading quality education.
Give Back to the Community: Donations and Volunteering
Donations: You can contribute to lifting families out of poverty by supporting a student’s journey to an IIT or government medical college in India.
Volunteers: Join the Dakshana Alumni Network and be a part of the movement to bring about change. Volunteers play an essential role in helping students achieve success.
Founder’s Message:
Mohnish Pabrai, Founder and Chairman of Dakshana Foundation, is a prominent investment manager who has contributed greatly to the foundation’s growth. His investment strategies and commitment to education have inspired thousands to join the mission of Dakshana.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Dakshana Foundation under Navodaya Vidyalaya?
Dakshana Foundation is a special program where selected students are trained for engineering entrance exams like JEE, helping them access top-tier institutions in India.
What is the use of the Dakshana Exam?
The Dakshana Exam, through the Navodaya Dakshana Selection Test (NDST), is the gateway for students to get selected for the coaching program offered before completing their 12th grade.
Which is the best Dakshana center in India?
The JNV Bengaluru Urban center has shown the most success, consistently delivering 100% results in JEE Mains every year.
What is the syllabus for the Dakshana exam?
The test includes four sections with 25 MCQ-format questions in each section:
- Section 1: Logical Reasoning
- Section 2: Mathematics/Biology
- Section 3: Physics
- Section 4: Chemistry
Each correct answer receives 3 points, and each wrong answer results in a deduction of 1 point.
By being part of Dakshana, students gain the opportunity to receive world-class education and secure admissions into prestigious institutions like IITs and medical colleges, breaking barriers and empowering future leaders.
Stay connected with Dakshana Foundation to learn more about how to apply, the selection process, and the success stories of students from across India.
Post Comment