Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a new incentive scheme for boys, set to launch on January 1, 2026, aligning with the existing Nijut Moina scheme for girls. This announcement was made during the distribution of scooters to 11,250 Higher Secondary toppers at the Dr Banikanta Kakati Merit Award ceremony held at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra. The scooters were awarded to students achieving scores of 80% or higher in the 2025 Higher Secondary examinations, including 6,860 awarded to girls.
Since the program’s inception in 2017, the State has granted scooters to 186,442 students, with a total expenditure surpassing Rs 1,043 crore. However, recent changes in how the scheme is implemented resulted in a significant drop in beneficiaries this year, down from 48,673 in 2024 to just 11,250. The Chief Minister noted that the Nijut Moina scheme has expanded to over 500,000 girls, leading to a revision in student support strategies. The upcoming scheme for boys aims to foster a balanced academic environment throughout Assam.
Sarma emphasized the importance of road safety, advising students to obtain driving licenses and wear helmets when riding scooters. He urged them to cultivate a positive mindset, warning against the detrimental effects of negativity, which can lead youth astray. He illustrated that optimistic individuals build resilience and self-confidence, while pessimists struggle to find direction, drawing parallels between human thought and artificial intelligence.
Highlighting educational advancements in Assam, Sarma pointed out the rapid growth in medical colleges, with more than 25 now established, including 15 currently operational and 10 under construction. He recalled a time when access to medical education was limited to a select few, with only three colleges offering 250 seats. Today, almost 2,000 seats are available, with expectations to reach 5,000 by 2030.
The Chief Minister mentioned the significant increase in higher education institutions within the State, which now includes two central universities and approximately 25-26 state universities. The engineering sector has also flourished, boasting nearly 30 engineering colleges, including prestigious institutes like IIT Guwahati and NIT Silchar. Furthermore, a new facility worth Rs 200 crore is being established by Dassault Systèmes at Assam Engineering College, focused on developing digital tools and preparing students for aerospace-related careers.
Additionally, the government has initiated a maritime engineering institute in Dibrugarh, specializing in ship repair. Sarma outlined plans for a Google data center and a mobile manufacturing unit to benefit the local economy. Next year, construction will begin on Assam’s first green hydrogen plant in Numaligarh, with land already allocated for the project. The state government also intends to create a bio aviation fuel production unit.
Sarma discussed plans for a thermal power plant with a capacity of 3,200 megawatts, stating that the state, which once faced severe electricity shortages, aims to supply power to neighboring states like Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura by 2031. The program was also attended by key figures, including Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu and Adviser (Higher Education) Prof. Debabrata Das, among others.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/guwahati/boys-to-get-nijut-moina-type-incentive-scheme-in-assam-from-january-2026-1600544
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Publish Date: 2025-12-09 08:53:00
