The Assam government on 16 September 2026 announced scholarship assistance worth ₹194.55 crore for 1,66,124 Scheduled Tribe (ST) students pursuing higher education, as part of a focused initiative to expand educational access and digital literacy among tribal communities across the state. The funds are to be transferred directly to beneficiaries' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, ensuring transparent, contactless disbursement.

Event and Key Officials

The programme was organised by the Tribal Affairs (Plain) Department at the GMCH Auditorium in Guwahati. Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, who also holds charge of Higher Education, Tribal Affairs (Plain), and Information Technology, attended as chief guest. Also present were Tribal Affairs (Plain) Department Commissioner and Secretary Binita Pegu, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Principal-cum-Chief Superintendent Dr Babul Kumar Bezbaruah, departmental officials, student beneficiaries, and media representatives.

What the Minister Said

Addressing the gathering, Minister Ranoj Pegu underscored the growing importance of digital awareness in a technology-driven world, urging students to acquire digital knowledge and deploy it responsibly in support of their academic goals. He also stressed the value of higher education for tribal youth, encouraging recipients to use the scholarship funds judiciously and remain committed to their studies.

Homestay Support for ST Entrepreneurs

Beyond academic scholarships, the event also saw Pegu distribute financial assistance for upgrading homestays owned by Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs under the Tribal Affairs (Plain) Department. The homestay support is designed to generate livelihood opportunities and contribute to the broader socio-economic development of tribal communities in Assam. This pairing of education aid with entrepreneurship backing reflects the government's stated intent to address multiple dimensions of tribal welfare simultaneously.

Broader Policy Context

Assam has a significant tribal population spread across both hill and plain districts, with access to higher education historically constrained by geographical and financial barriers. Direct benefit transfers of this scale — covering over 1.66 lakh students in a single tranche — represent one of the larger ST scholarship disbursements the state has undertaken in recent years. The initiative aligns with the Centre's broader push for financial inclusion and targeted welfare delivery through the Aadhaar ecosystem. The government said the programme reflects its commitment to strengthening higher education, digital literacy, and economic opportunity for ST students and communities alike.

Going forward, the government is expected to monitor fund utilisation and academic outcomes to assess the long-term impact of the scholarship scheme on tribal enrolment and retention rates in higher education.