Guwahati: The Assam government has announced revised guidelines for the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni (MMNMA) for girl students and launched the new Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni (MMNBA) to provide monthly financial assistance to eligible male students pursuing higher education. The twin initiatives aim to enhance access to higher education, reduce dropout rates, and promote gender-inclusive educational support across the state.
The Higher Education Department issued two separate Office Memorandums detailing the eligibility criteria, financial benefits, and implementation mechanisms for both flagship schemes. These programmes are designed to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Assam and ensure that financial constraints do not hinder deserving students from continuing their studies.
What was announced
The Assam Higher Education Department recently announced the revamped Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni and the introduction of the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni. The revised MMNMA, initially announced in the 2024-25 State Budget, continues to offer monthly financial assistance to eligible girl students.
The newly launched MMNBA extends similar financial support to male students from economically weaker families. Both schemes will disburse financial aid through Aadhaar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Why it matters
These schemes are crucial for making higher education more accessible and equitable in Assam. The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni, first launched in 2024, has already benefited over 1.6 lakh girl students in its initial phase, aiming to combat child marriage and encourage higher education.
The introduction of Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni addresses the need for gender-balanced support, targeting male students from economically weaker sections who might otherwise drop out due to financial pressures.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the government invested over Rs 176 crore during 2025-26 under these schemes, benefiting more than 2.5 lakh students. The MMNMA alone supported 2,00,727 students with Rs 167.05 crore, while MMNBA aided 49,438 beneficiaries with Rs 9.78 crore in the same period.
Background
The Assam government has consistently prioritised education as a key pillar of its human resource development strategy. The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni was first launched in 2024 (some sources say 2023 or 2021 for earlier versions) with the primary objective of increasing girls’ enrolment in higher education and eliminating child marriage by 2026.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the ‘Babu Scheme’ on November 22, 2025, stating it would roll out from January 1, 2026, following the success of the ‘Nijut Moina Scheme’. The Higher Education Department issued guidelines and invited applications for MMNBA starting January 6, 2026, with the official launch on February 1, 2026.
The schemes align with the state’s broader vision of developing a skilled workforce and supporting the National Education Policy (NEP) objectives. The government has also eased norms to attract private investment in higher education, further expanding academic opportunities.
Key details
Under the revised Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni, all girl students domiciled in Assam are eligible, irrespective of family income, making the scheme universal. However, daughters of ministers, Members of Parliament, and Members of the Legislative Assembly are excluded. Married girls are generally ineligible, except those pursuing postgraduate and B.Ed. courses.
Girl students enrolled in government higher secondary schools, government and venture colleges, central universities, approved venture educational institutions, and government polytechnic institutes are covered. Students in private institutions are not eligible.
The financial assistance for MMNMA is as follows:
- Higher Secondary students: Rs 800 per month.
- Undergraduate students: Rs 1,250 per month.
- Postgraduate students: Rs 2,500 per month.
- Polytechnic students: Rs 800 per month in the first two years, and Rs 1,250 per month in the third year.
This assistance is provided for up to 10 months in an academic year, with no payment during summer and winter vacations, including June and July.
For the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni, eligible male students must be domiciled in Assam and belong to families with an annual income below Rs 4 lakh. They must be regular students enrolled in undergraduate (first year) or postgraduate (first year) courses in government and provincialised educational institutions.
Married undergraduate male students are not eligible, nor are those who have opted for the Dr. Banikanta Kakati Merit Award (Scooter Scheme). Postgraduate students receiving benefits under the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme are also excluded.
The financial assistance for MMNBA is:
- Undergraduate students: Rs 1,000 per month.
- Postgraduate students: Rs 2,000 per month.
This aid is also provided for up to 10 months per academic year.
Both schemes require beneficiaries to comply with institutional rules, including regular attendance and maintaining proper discipline. Any violation, such as misconduct, indiscipline, cheating, or vandalism, will result in the withdrawal of benefits.
A significant policy change for MMNMA will take effect from the 2027-28 academic session, requiring girl students pursuing higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses to choose between the state’s Fee Waiver Scheme or Nijut Moina Aasoni, as they will no longer be allowed to avail both benefits simultaneously.
Reactions
“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,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
“The boys have ample reasons to cheer. Male students from economically underprivileged backgrounds enrolled in UG and PG courses will now get a monthly financial assistance to carry on with their education,” Chief Minister Sarma added during the launch of MMNBA.
Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu highlighted that the schemes reflect a holistic approach to education. “We are supporting students at every stage from matriculation preparation to research. Through Jibon Prerana, Anuprerana and Nijut Babu Asoni, we want to create a culture of learning, research and innovation,” Dr. Pegu said.
What’s next
The implementation of these schemes will continue through Aadhaar-linked DBT, with disbursement subject to institutional verification, attendance, and continuation of studies.
The policy change regarding the choice between the Fee Waiver Scheme and MMNMA will be effective from the 2027-28 academic session. The government continues to monitor and strengthen its higher education initiatives, including exploring new trends in artificial intelligence and virtual learning.
Quick FAQs
What is the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni (MMNMA)?
The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni is a revamped scheme by the Assam government that provides monthly financial assistance to eligible girl students pursuing higher education, aiming to increase enrolment and reduce dropout rates.
What is the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni (MMNBA)?
The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni is a new scheme launched by the Assam government to provide monthly financial assistance to eligible male students from economically weaker families who are pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Who is eligible for MMNMA?
All domiciled girl students of Assam are eligible, irrespective of family income, if they are unmarried (with exceptions for married PG/B.Ed. students) and enrolled in government or provincialised institutions. Daughters of ministers, MPs, and MLAs are excluded.
Who is eligible for MMNBA?
Domiciled male students from Assam with an annual family income below Rs 4 lakh, enrolled as regular first-year undergraduate or postgraduate students in government or provincialised institutions, are eligible. Married UG students and those availing other specific schemes are excluded.
How is the financial assistance disbursed?
The financial assistance for both schemes is disbursed directly into the beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for up to 10 months in an academic year.