The Higher Education Department, Assam, has mandated Aadhaar numbers and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts for students to access benefits under various government welfare schemes, including the Fee Waiver Scheme, Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Aasoni, and Mukhya Mantri Nijut Babu Aasoni. Universities and colleges across the state have been directed to ensure that accurate Aadhaar details are uploaded and updated on the SAMARTH portal.
This directive is set to impact a large number of students enrolled in higher education institutions who rely on these state-sponsored programmes for financial assistance. The move aims to streamline the disbursement of funds, enhance transparency, and ensure that benefits reach only genuine beneficiaries through a direct benefit transfer (DBT) system.
What was announced
The Director of Higher Education, Assam, Smti. Pomi Baruah, ACS, issued a formal directive on June 3, 2026, to all registrars of universities and principals of colleges in Assam. This instruction followed a video conference held on the same date with concerned educational institutions.
The directive explicitly states that Aadhaar numbers and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts are compulsory for students to avail themselves of various beneficiary schemes implemented by the Higher Education Department. Institutions are required to ensure that valid Aadhaar-related information of students is furnished and updated through the SAMARTH portal.
Furthermore, the department has instructed Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to assist students who do not possess an Aadhaar number by facilitating their enrolment. These institutions must ensure that the Aadhaar numbers are uploaded to the SAMARTH portal at the earliest. HEIs are also tasked with verifying Aadhaar details already on the portal and undertaking corrective measures for any incomplete, incorrect, or invalid information.
Why it matters
The mandatory linking of Aadhaar and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts is a critical step towards enhancing the efficiency and integrity of the state’s student welfare programmes. Officials familiar with the matter stated that timely verification and updating of Aadhaar information will facilitate the smooth processing and disbursement of fee waiver reimbursements and other beneficiary schemes.
The schemes affected by this mandate provide substantial financial support to students across Assam:
- Fee Waiver Scheme: This scheme offers a 100 per cent tuition fee waiver for eligible students admitted to government and provincialised colleges and universities. To qualify, students must typically have a parental annual income of less than Rs 4 lakh from all sources. The scheme aims to provide access to higher education for economically disadvantaged students.
- Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Aasoni: Launched in August 2024, with an updated version 2.0 rolled out in February 2026, this flagship initiative provides monthly financial assistance to girl students. It targets unmarried girls domiciled in Assam who are enrolled in government and government-aided institutions, promoting their continuation in higher secondary and higher education studies. Benefits range from Rs 1,000 per month for Class 11-12 students to Rs 2,500 per month for postgraduate students, for a maximum of ten months per academic year. The scheme also aims to reduce dropout rates among girls and combat child marriage.
- Mukhya Mantri Nijut Babu Aasoni: Introduced on January 1, 2026, this scheme is the male counterpart to the Nijut Moina Aasoni. It provides financial assistance to male students from economically weaker families, specifically those with an annual income below Rs 4 lakh, who are enrolled in the first year of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in government and provincialised institutions. Undergraduate students receive Rs 1,000 per month, while postgraduate students receive Rs 2,000 per month, for up to ten months in an academic year. The scheme aims to provide gender-balanced support and address dropout trends among economically vulnerable boys.
Background
The move to make Aadhaar mandatory for student welfare schemes aligns with the broader national push for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to enhance transparency and reduce leakages in government programmes. Across India, Aadhaar has become a cornerstone for delivering subsidies and welfare benefits directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
Historically, states like Assam, Meghalaya, and Jammu & Kashmir had received some exemptions from compulsory Aadhaar linking for certain central government schemes, primarily due to lower Aadhaar enrolment rates in these regions. However, these exemptions have been gradually phased out, especially for schemes involving direct financial transfers.
The Assam government has been proactive in increasing Aadhaar penetration and linking it to various services. The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA), for instance, had previously urged schools to organise Aadhaar camps to ensure students’ biometric updates and mobile number linking, citing the importance of updated Aadhaar for competitive examinations.
The implementation of Aadhaar in Assam has also been intertwined with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process, leading to unique challenges. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously stated that individuals above eighteen years of age would generally not be eligible for first-time Aadhaar enrolment, with limited exceptions, as a measure to prevent illegal immigrants from acquiring Indian identity documents. This policy has created complexities for some residents in the state.
The SAMARTH portal, central to this new directive, serves as the Assam State Higher Education Admission Portal. It was introduced to provide a unified platform for undergraduate admissions across state universities, aiming to simplify the admission process and ensure equal opportunities for candidates, including those from rural and remote areas.
Key details
The directive from the Higher Education Department mandates two primary requirements for students seeking to avail benefits under the specified schemes:
- Possession of an Aadhaar number.
- Having an Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Educational institutions have been assigned crucial responsibilities in this process:
- Universities and colleges must ensure that all Aadhaar-related information for their students is accurately uploaded and regularly updated on the SAMARTH portal.
- For students who currently do not possess an Aadhaar number, the concerned Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) are required to take necessary steps to facilitate their application and enrolment for Aadhaar. The institutions must then ensure that these new Aadhaar numbers are uploaded to the SAMARTH portal promptly.
- HEIs are also tasked with verifying Aadhaar details already present on the SAMARTH portal and initiating corrective measures if any information is found to be incomplete, incorrect, or invalid.
What’s next
Educational institutions are expected to act swiftly to comply with the directive. The emphasis is on the timely updation and verification of Aadhaar-related information for all eligible students. This proactive measure is crucial to ensure the uninterrupted processing and release of fee waiver reimbursements and other financial benefits under the various student welfare schemes.
Students who are beneficiaries of these schemes and currently do not have an Aadhaar number or an Aadhaar-linked bank account should initiate the process of obtaining one and linking their bank accounts to avoid any disruption in receiving their benefits. The SAMARTH portal will serve as the central repository for this critical student data.
Quick FAQs
Why is Aadhaar mandatory for student schemes?
Aadhaar is made mandatory to ensure that financial benefits reach genuine students directly, reduce fraudulent claims, and streamline the disbursement process through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Which schemes are affected by this mandate?
The primary schemes affected are the Fee Waiver Scheme, Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Aasoni, and Mukhya Mantri Nijut Babu Aasoni.
What if a student does not have an Aadhaar number?
Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) are directed to assist students who do not possess an Aadhaar number in applying for one. The institutions must then ensure that the Aadhaar number is uploaded to the SAMARTH portal as soon as it is issued.
What is the role of the SAMARTH portal?
The SAMARTH portal is the central online platform where universities and colleges must upload, update, and verify students’ Aadhaar details for the purpose of availing government welfare schemes.
Sources & References
Source: Assam Higher Education Department Official Communication