Guwahati, Aug 24 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that his government was working to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent young people from pursuing higher education, highlighting the state's flagship Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu schemes.
In a post on X, Sarma said no parent in Assam should have to worry about being unable to afford higher education for their children. “In Assam, no parent should have to worry about affording higher education for their child,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the two schemes were helping boys and girls pursue their dreams without finances becoming a barrier.
The Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Aasoni was introduced by the Assam government as a financial assistance programme aimed at encouraging girls to continue their education and reducing dropouts. The scheme provides financial incentives to eligible girl students pursuing higher secondary and higher education in the state.
The government has subsequently expanded the initiative, with the scheme designed to support girls at different stages of their educational journey and encourage greater participation in higher education.
The Nijut Babu Aasoni, meanwhile, is aimed at providing financial assistance to male students from economically weaker families. Under the scheme, eligible students enrolled in the first year of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in government and provincialised educational institutions receive support through direct benefit transfer.
According to the state government's guidelines, Nijut Babu seeks to increase enrolment among economically vulnerable male students, reduce dropout rates at the higher education entry level and improve Assam's overall Gross Enrolment Ratio. The scheme also seeks to promote greater gender balance in educational support and ensure that financial difficulties do not force students to discontinue their studies.
The two initiatives form part of the Assam government's broader focus on expanding access to education and encouraging students to continue their academic journey after school.
The Higher Education Department has issued fresh guidelines for both Nijut Moina and Nijut Babu for the 2026 academic session, underlining the government's continued focus on financial assistance for students.
--IANS
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