Author: Dipankar Das
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/04100007
Abstract: Assam, despite improvements in literacy, has historically faced challenges of low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education, high dropout at secondary and higher secondary levels, and prevalence of child marriage in certain districts. To address these structural bottlenecks, the Government of Assam introduced two complementary financial incentive schemes – Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni (MMNMA) for girl students and Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni (MMNBA) for male students from economically weaker sections. This paper analytically examines the objectives, design, implementation and early outcomes of both schemes. Based on secondary data from Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Assam notifications, Chief Minister’s Office releases and national media reporting, the study finds a significant expansion in coverage from 1,61,302 girls in 2024-25 to 3,50,265 girls in 2025-26 and over 4 lakh including polytechnic and integrated programmes in 2026-27, and from 50,000 boys in 2024-25 to 1,02,501 in October 2026 instalment and a projected 1.2 lakh in 2026-27. Early indicators show GER improvement from 37% to 44% and reduction in higher secondary dropout from 25% to 17% between 2024 and 2025, with zero dropout reported among promoted first-year cohorts. The paper argues that the schemes represent a shift from one-time scholarships to a conditional monthly stipend model linked to attendance, discipline and continuation, thereby aligning with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 objectives. Challenges related to exclusion criteria, financial sustainability, and need for complementary academic supports are discussed.
Keywords: Nijut Moina, Nijut Babu, Assam Higher Education, GER, Dropout, Child Marriage, DBT, NEP 2020.
Page No: 63-67