Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, 25 June announced that the state government disbursed more than ₹176 crore during 2025-26 to support students in higher education through two flagship welfare schemes. The funds, channelled via the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Aasoni and Mukhya Mantri Nijut Babu Aasoni programmes, collectively benefited over 2.5 lakh students across Assam.

Scheme-wise Disbursement

According to figures shared by the Chief Minister, the Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Aasoni scheme reached 2,00,727 students in 2025-26, with ₹167.05 crore disbursed in financial assistance. The Mukhya Mantri Nijut Babu Aasoni scheme supported an additional 49,438 beneficiaries, with ₹9.78 crore released during the same period. Together, the two schemes crossed a combined outlay of ₹176 crore.

What the Chief Minister Said

Sarma made the announcement through a post on social media platform X, framing the expenditure as a long-term investment in the state's human capital. 'Last year, we invested Rs 176+ crore in one of Assam's greatest strengths, our youth. Through the Nijut Moina and Babu Aasonis, we are enabling access to higher education for our children, so that they can grow up to become drivers of economic and social change in Assam,' he said.

Policy Intent and Target Beneficiaries

Officials said both schemes are designed to ensure that financial constraints do not force eligible students to abandon higher education. The programmes are specifically aimed at economically disadvantaged families, with the broader goal of building a more inclusive higher education ecosystem in the state. The Assam government has consistently positioned education as a central pillar of its human resource development strategy, introducing measures to improve enrolment and reduce dropout rates at the tertiary level.

Broader Education Push

This disbursement fits into a wider pattern of state-level education spending under Sarma's administration. The Chief Minister reiterated that strengthening educational infrastructure and expanding student welfare initiatives will remain among the government's sustained policy priorities. He added that investments in education are intended to prepare a skilled generation capable of contributing to Assam's long-term economic growth and social development. With over a quarter of a million students reached in a single financial year, the scale of the outreach marks a notable expansion in state-sponsored higher education support.