Assam’s ‘Nijut Moina’ and ‘Nijut Babu’ Schemes—Emphasis on Higher Education, Gender Equality, and Prevention of Child Marriage

The Assam government has initiated the application process for the 2026-27 ‘Chief Minister’s Nijut Moina’ and ‘Nijut Babu’ schemes. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formally launched the distribution of application forms in Guwahati on August 6, 2026. The overarching objective of both schemes is to promote access to higher education and ensure academic continuity by providing financial assistance to students beyond the higher secondary level.

Chief Minister’s Nijut Moina Scheme—Special Focus on Girls' Education:

The primary objective of the Nijut Moina scheme is to encourage female students to continue their higher education by providing them with financial support. A significant social objective of the scheme is the prevention of child marriage. Through this financial assistance, the government aims to retain female students in the education system, enabling them to pursue higher education and skill development instead of marrying at an early age. Approximately 1.6 lakh female students benefited from this in 2024-25, while the number of beneficiaries reached around 4 lakh in 2025-26.

Expansion of the scheme's scope in 2026:

The Assam government expanded the eligibility criteria for the 'Nijut Moina' scheme in 2026. Female students pursuing polytechnic courses who meet the prescribed conditions are now included within its ambit. Additionally, eligible female students studying in the seventh semester of integrated postgraduate courses are also receiving benefits. Criteria such as regular attendance, discipline, and commitment to studies are crucial for the continuation of financial assistance.

Nijut Babu Scheme—Financial assistance for students:

The 'Nijut Babu' scheme provides financial assistance to eligible students pursuing studies at the higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. Its objective is to alleviate the financial burden on families caused by the cost of education and to encourage students to continue their studies. Last year, approximately 50,000 students benefited from this scheme, while the target for the current year is to include an additional 70,000 students.

Social and disaster management dimensions alongside education:

The significance of these schemes extends beyond mere financial assistance. 'Nijut Moina' simultaneously addresses education, women's empowerment, and the prevention of child marriage, whereas 'Nijut Babu' focuses on equal opportunities in education and human capital formation. On this occasion, the Assam government announced financial aid amounting to ₹15.86 crore for 793 schools across the flood-affected districts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, and Golaghat, as well as ₹4.26 crore for 21,025 students in Sivasagar and Charaideo. This also highlights the importance of disaster resilience within the education system.

Broad significance for UPSC:

This initiative aligns with SDG-4 (Quality Education), SDG-5 (Gender Equality), women's empowerment, human capital formation, social justice, and the eradication of child marriage. From a UPSC perspective, it is crucial to understand that merely increasing school enrollment is not enough; ensuring the continuity of education through financial assistance, social security, and a safe educational environment is also essential. Targeted schemes like 'Nijut Moina' demonstrate that state governments can also utilize education policy as a tool for social reform.