The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Assam, has opened the online application portal for the prestigious Dr. Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Award for 2026, inviting eligible students who excelled in their Higher Secondary Final Examination to apply for the scheme.
This initiative, a key component of the state government’s Pragyan Bharati Scheme, aims to recognise and reward academic excellence by providing meritorious students with two-wheelers, thereby facilitating their pursuit of higher education and enhancing their mobility.
What was announced
The Directorate of Higher Education, Assam, issued a public notice regarding the commencement of online applications for the Dr. Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Award 2026. The online application process began on July 29, 2026, from 2:00 PM.
Eligible students are required to submit their applications through a dedicated online portal. The deadline for online submissions is August 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Following the application period, a provisional list of eligible applicants is scheduled for publication on August 25, 2026. Students will have the opportunity to submit claims or objections between August 25 and August 30, 2026, before the final list of beneficiaries is released on September 10, 2026.
The online application process has been introduced to ensure accurate identification of eligible beneficiaries and to prevent duplication with other schemes like the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNMA), according to the DHE notice. This measure is intended to facilitate efficient planning and procurement under the scheme, ensuring optimal utilisation of public resources.
Why it matters
The Dr. Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Award is a flagship initiative of the Government of Assam under the broader Pragyan Bharati Scheme, designed to foster a culture of academic competitiveness and encourage students to pursue higher education. The primary benefit for eligible students is the provision of a two-wheeler, commonly referred to as a scooty, along with free registration, insurance, and a helmet. The government bears all associated costs, ensuring no financial burden on the beneficiaries.
This scheme significantly improves student mobility, particularly for those residing in rural and remote areas, making it easier for them to commute to colleges and universities. By removing transportation barriers, the award aims to enhance the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Assam and empower youth through increased access to educational institutions.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently highlighted the award’s role in motivating students and strengthening a culture of excellence across the state. The initiative is seen as a tangible recognition of academic achievement, providing students with greater confidence as they continue their educational journey.
Background
The Dr. Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Award scheme was launched by the Government of Assam in 2022, named after Dr. Bani Kanta Kakati, a revered Assamese scholar, linguist, literary critic, educationist, and cultural historian. His pioneering research on the Assamese language and literature established him as a leading intellectual, and the award commemorates his profound contributions to the state’s academic and cultural heritage.
Initially, the eligibility criteria for the award varied by gender. For the academic year 2023-24, under the budget speech 2023-24, the scheme provided scooters to girl students securing 60% or more marks and boys securing 75% or more marks in the Class 12 examination. However, a significant policy shift occurred from 2025 onwards, where the government decided to provide scooters to all students, irrespective of gender, who obtain 80% or more marks in the Higher Secondary Final Examination conducted by the Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB).
In 2025, the scheme benefited 11,250 meritorious students, including 6,860 girls, who scored 80 percent and above in the Higher Secondary Examination. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma personally launched the distribution of these scooters at a function held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati. The Chief Minister stated that between 2017-18 and 2024-25, a total of 1,86,442 students had received scooters under the scheme, underscoring its long-term impact on student welfare in Assam.
The award is part of the state government’s broader commitment to promoting student welfare and making education accessible, complementing other initiatives such as the Combined Merit Scholarship and special incentives for OBC meritorious students.
Key details
To be eligible for the Dr. Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Award 2026, students must meet specific criteria as outlined by the Directorate of Higher Education, Assam. The core eligibility requirement states that students must have secured 80% or more marks in the Higher Secondary Final Examination 2026, which was conducted by the Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB).
Furthermore, applicants must be permanent residents of Assam. Students who are admitted to institutions outside the state are also eligible, provided they possess a valid Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) of Assam. The scheme specifically excludes students who appeared in the betterment or reappearance categories in the Higher Secondary Examination. Dropout students are also not eligible. A crucial condition is that students must continue their studies beyond the 10+2 level to be considered for the award.
The application process is strictly online, with no offline applications being entertained. The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Assam, will directly obtain the list of students who secured 80% or above marks in the HS Examination from the ASSEB. Based on this data, a list of eligible beneficiaries will be published on the official DHE Assam website. Students whose names appear on this beneficiary list must then complete the online application process through the designated portal within the stipulated timeline.
Nodal Principals, notified by the DHE, will play a crucial role in facilitating the distribution of the scooters. Students will collect an Appreciation Certificate from their Nodal Principal, which they will then submit to the allotted scooter dealer. The government will directly bear the cost of scooter registration, insurance, and provide a free helmet, ensuring that students do not incur any expenses for these items.
What’s next
Following the closure of the online application portal on August 21, 2026, the Directorate of Higher Education, Assam, will proceed with the verification process. The provisional list of eligible applicants is slated for release on August 25, 2026.
Students will have a window from August 25 to August 30, 2026, to submit any claims or objections regarding the provisional list. The final list of beneficiaries for the Dr. Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Award 2026 is expected to be published on September 10, 2026. Subsequently, the distribution process for the scooters will commence, coordinated through nodal principals appointed by the DHE, Assam. Beneficiaries are advised to regularly check the official website of the Directorate of Higher Education, Assam, for further updates and notifications regarding the distribution schedule and procedures.
Sources & References
Source: Directorate of Higher Education, Assam Public Notice