Guwahati: The Assam govt has expanded its flagship higher education incentive programme by notifying the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni for economically weaker male students and revising the Nijut Moina Aasoni guidelines to widen coverage for girls and rationalise overlapping benefits.Two office memorandums issued by the higher education department lay down the operational framework for the schemes, which aim to improve higher education enrolment and reduce dropouts through monthly direct benefit transfers (DBT).The Nijut Moina Aasoni, launched in 2024 to encourage girls to pursue higher education and combat child marriage, has covered over 1.6 lakh students in its first phase.The expanded version broadens eligibility to include students enrolled in B.Ed., the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), self-financed professional courses, govt polytechnics, recognised venture institutions and central universities.Under the revised guidelines, all girl students domiciled in Assam will remain eligible irrespective of family income, making the scheme universal. However, daughters of ministers, MPs and MLAs have been excluded.Married girls will continue to be ineligible, except those pursuing postgraduate and B.Ed. courses. The govt has also barred postgraduate students receiving benefits under the chief minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme from availing Nijut Moina assistance. In-service girls admitted to the B.Ed. course on deputation will not be eligible.The most significant policy change will come into effect from the 2027-28 academic session, when girl students pursuing higher secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate courses will have to choose either the state’s Fee Waiver Scheme or Nijut Moina Aasoni, and will no longer be allowed to avail both benefits simultaneously.The newly introduced Nijut Babu Aasoni, announced earlier this year, extends financial support to Assam-domiciled male students from families with an annual income below Rs 4 lakh. Eligible undergraduate students admitted under the Fee Waiver Scheme will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while postgraduate students will get Rs 1,250 per month for up to 10 months in an academic year.Both schemes will be implemented through Aadhaar-linked DBT, with disbursement subject to institutional verification, attendance and continuation of studies. The govt said the twin initiatives are aimed at making higher education more accessible while ensuring that financial assistance reaches deserving students without duplication of benefits.
