Assam CM launches BabuAsoni scheme for male PG students; to grant up to Rs 2,000 monthly from February 1

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today announced the launch of a new financial assistance programme ‘Babu Asoni’, aimed at supporting male students pursuing higher education in the state.

The scheme will come into effect from February 1, with eligible beneficiaries receiving monthly financial aid directly into their bank accounts.

Announcing the initiative on X, Sarma said the programme fulfils a long-standing promise made to male students and is intended to ease financial pressure and enable students to focus on their academic pursuits.

Under the scheme, male students enrolled in undergraduate courses will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while those pursuing postgraduate studies will be given Rs 2,000 per month.

Data presented by minister of state for labour and employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje in a Lok Sabha reply for 2023–24 said that Assam’s youth unemployment rate in the 15–29 age group stood at 14.1%, underscoring the need for sustained investment in education and skill development.

Eligibility criteria and objectives of Babu Asoni

Students from economically vulnerable backgrounds with family income less than Rs 4 lakh are eligible for the monthly grant, as per a report by NorthEast Now.

Whereas, applicants whose parents are government employees or whose family income is beyond Rs 4 lakh are not eligible for the monetary benefit, the report added.

The initiative aims to reduce dropout rates, improve academic concentration, and provide financial stability to students navigating higher education costs.

The Babu Asoni scheme builds on Assam’s earlier education-focused initiatives, particularly those aimed at female students.

Programmes such as Nijut Moina, which provides financial assistance to girls from higher secondary to postgraduate levels, have been credited with improving enrolment and discouraging early marriage. Monthly incentives for HSLC candidates have also been introduced in recent years, reported NORTHEAST NOW.

The state government said the new scheme reflects its commitment to strengthening human capital and supporting students as they prepare for future employment opportunities reported NORTHEAST NOW.