The Assam Chief Minister has announced that from January 1, 2026, the State will roll out a new incentive scheme exclusively for boys, similar to the Nijut Moina scheme, which supports girl students. 

• The announcement was made during the distribution of scooters under the Dr Banikanta Kakati Merit Award at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, where 11,250 Higher Secondary toppers received scooters.
  • Since the inception of the merit award initiative, Assam has already distributed scooters to 1,86,442 students between 2017-18 and 2024-25, spending over ₹1,043 crore. 
• This year, however, the number of beneficiaries dropped significantly from 48,673 (in 2024) to 11,250 due to revised selection criteria and expansion of the Nijut Moina programme.

Why is the new scheme for boys needed?

The Chief Minister stated that while more than five lakh girls are now covered under Nijut Moina, the same level of academic encouragement must also reach boys. The upcoming scheme aims to:

• Promote equitable academic motivation,
• Reduce gender-based disparity in scholarships,
• Strengthen merit-based culture in schools.

Broader Education Push

The announcement comes amid Assam’s accelerated educational expansion:

• The State now has about 25 medical colleges, up from just three a decade ago.
• Medical seat capacity has expanded from around 250 seats to nearly 2,000, and is targeted to reach 5,000 seats by 2030.
• Assam today has multiple central universities and over 25 State universities either functional or under development.
• Around 30 engineering institutions, including IIT Guwahati and NIT Silchar, are operational.

The Chief Minister also highlighted emerging opportunities in:

• Digital design under the upcoming Dassault facility at Assam Engineering College,
• Maritime engineering in Dibrugarh,
• Proposed data centre and manufacturing units,
• First green hydrogen project at Numaligarh,
• A planned 3,200 MW thermal power plant.

Exam Hook — Prelims-Style Question

Q. Which of the following recently announced schemes is intended to parallel the Nijut Moina scheme in Assam?
(a) Gyan Sadhan Yojana
(b) Dr Bhupen Talent Fund
(c) A new incentive scheme for boys from 2026
(d) Vidya Jyoti Yojana

Answer: (c)

One-line Wrap

Assam to launch a new incentive scheme for boys from 2026, mirroring Nijut Moina, to ensure equitable academic encouragement and strengthen merit-driven education.

SOURCE