Himanta Biswa Sarma Introduces Nijut Babu Asoni With Rs. 1,000–Rs. 2,000 Support for Male Students

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has introduced a new financial support scheme for boys pursuing higher education. The Mukhyamantri Nijut Babu Asoni aims to help boys from poorer families stay in college and reduce the gender gap in higher education. This is a counterpart to the popular Mukhyamantri Nijut Moina Asoni scheme for girls, which has benefitted more than 5 lakh female students. 

Under the new scheme, eligible male students in their first year of undergraduate study will receive Rs. 1,000 per month. First-year postgraduate students will get Rs. 2,000 per month. The incentive will be paid for up to 10 months in an academic year. The money will be transferred directly into students’ bank accounts under the direct benefit transfer (DBT) system.

What the scheme offers:

– The scheme is open to regular male students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate courses in government or provincialised colleges in Assam.

– First-year undergraduate students will receive Rs. 1,000 monthly for 10 months.

– First-year postgraduate students will receive Rs. 2,000 monthly for 10 months.

– Payments will be made directly through bank transfer.

Who is eligible:

To qualify for the scheme, students must:

– Be male and domiciled in Assam.

– Have a family income below Rs. 4 lakh per year.

– Be enrolled in the first year of a regular undergraduate or postgraduate course in a government or provincialised college.

Who is not eligible:

– Students studying in private colleges or enrolled in self-financed courses.

– Students enrolled in distance education programmes.

– Married undergraduate students.

– Those already receiving the Dr Banikanta Kakati Merit Award.

– Postgraduate students receiving benefits from the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme.

The government has also clarified that the eligibility criteria released so far are not final. It will announce additional eligibility rules after the official launch of the Mukhyamantri Nijut Babu Asoni scheme on 1 February 2026. These further guidelines are expected to provide more clarity on selection and implementation.

Documents required:

The application process has not started yet. However, the government is expected to announce the application procedure soon. In the meantime, applicants may prepare themselves to submit a set of essential documents to verify their eligibility and enable the release of the scholarship amount. Based on preliminary information, students are advised to keep the following documents ready:

– Proof of permanent residence in Assam, Aadhaar card,

– A valid mobile number and email ID,

– Bank account details for direct benefit transfer,

– Family income certificate, and

– Educational documents related to current course enrollment.

Conditions for students:

Students must maintain regular attendance and good academic discipline. They should also follow the conduct rules of their institutions. If these conditions are not met, the government may stop the incentive. No stipend will be paid during the summer vacation or any break longer than one month.

The government’s Higher Education Department has said the scheme will be implemented in the 2025-26 academic year. Eligible boys have now been invited to apply for the scheme.

The Mukhyamantri Nijut Moina Asoni for girls was launched earlier to encourage female students to continue their studies through higher secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Under that scheme, girl students receive monthly financial support of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,500 depending on their level of study.

The Assam government says Mukhyamantri Nijut Babu Asoni will help economically weaker boys remain in higher education and address a gender imbalance in enrolment and retention. The scheme also supports the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 by trying to improve Assam’s overall Gross Enrolment Ratio and reduce dropouts at key entry levels.