Guwahati: The Assam government has revised the guidelines of its flagship Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina scheme and formally introduced the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu scheme, expanding financial assistance for students pursuing higher education in the state. The move is aimed at increasing enrolment, reducing dropout rates and making higher education more accessible for economically weaker families.
Under the revised framework, the Nijut Moina scheme for girl students has been expanded with updated eligibility norms and broader institutional coverage, while the newly launched Nijut Babu scheme extends similar financial support to eligible male students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
According to the approved guidelines issued by the Directorate of Higher Education, the Nijut Babu scheme will provide monthly assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to first-year undergraduate and postgraduate students from families meeting the prescribed income criteria. Undergraduate students will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while postgraduate students will get Rs 2,000 per month for 10 months in an academic year.
The government said the initiative is intended to improve Assam‘s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), encourage continuation of higher education, and reduce financial barriers faced by students from low-income households.
Officials also revised the operational guidelines for the Nijut Moina scheme to align it with the state’s evolving higher education policies and ensure wider access for eligible girl students. The scheme continues to serve as one of the government’s key interventions to promote girls’ education and discourage early marriage by supporting their academic journey.
The Higher Education Department has directed educational institutions to implement the updated guidelines while ensuring that beneficiary details are processed through the prescribed digital platforms for timely transfer of financial assistance.