The Assam Cabinet has approved a budget provision of Rs 118.58 crore for the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme for the fiscal year 2026-27. This decision will provide financial assistance to 48,366 candidates who were selected under the scheme in 2025.

The approved funds will ensure that these beneficiaries receive Rs 2,500 per month for the remaining 10 months of the applicable period, offering crucial motivational support to young graduates during their transition from education to employment. The scheme aims to alleviate financial pressure as they prepare for competitive examinations, pursue higher studies, or explore entrepreneurial ventures.

What was announced

The Assam Cabinet, in a meeting held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, approved a budget provision of Rs 118.58 crore for the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who later briefed the media on the cabinet’s decisions. This allocation is specifically for the fiscal year 2026-27.

Why it matters

The cabinet’s approval directly impacts 48,366 graduates who were selected in 2025 under the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme. Each of these beneficiaries will receive Rs 2,500 per month for a period of 10 months, providing a total support of Rs 25,000 during this phase. This financial aid is designed to ease the economic burden on young graduates as they navigate the initial stages of their careers, allowing them to focus on skill development, job preparation, or higher career goals without undue financial stress. The government has clarified that this assistance is not an unemployment allowance but rather a motivational support system.

Background

The Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme was formally launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on November 3, 2025. The primary objective of the scheme is to support fresh graduates from state or central government colleges and universities located within Assam, during what is often a challenging period of transition from academic life to professional careers. The scheme was introduced to provide stability to young graduates as they prepare for competitive examinations, seek employment, or venture into entrepreneurship.

The scheme is implemented by the Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department, Assam, with the entire application process conducted online through the official DIDS Portal. For the 2025 batch of graduates, the last date to apply was November 30, 2025.

This initiative is part of the Assam government’s broader focus on youth empowerment and employment generation. Chief Minister Sarma has often highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment through various multi-pronged approaches. Other schemes include the Chief Minister’s Foreign Language Initiative for Global Human Talent (CM-FLIGHT), which aims to equip youth with foreign language proficiency for international job markets, particularly in Japan. The government also supports self-employment through initiatives like the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Assam Abhiyan (CMAAA) 2.0, which disbursed over Rs 56 crore to 5,572 young entrepreneurs in February 2026, aiming to empower 10 lakh youths in the coming years. Schemes like the Assam Kalpataru Scheme and Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniyojan Yojana also provide financial relief and self-employment avenues to unemployed graduates.

The Assam Budget 2026-27, which includes this provision, was presented with a five-year development outlook, reflecting the government’s promises on infrastructure, welfare, healthcare, education, employment, and fiscal stability.

Key details

Under the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme, the Assam Cabinet has approved an outlay of Rs 118.58 crore for the current fiscal year. This funding is specifically designated for the 48,366 candidates who were selected in 2025. Each eligible candidate will receive financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per month for the remaining 10 months of the scheme’s applicable period.

Eligibility criteria for the initial phase of the scheme, for 2025 graduates, included being a permanent resident of Assam and having graduated in 2025 from a state or central government college or university within Assam. The annual family income of the applicant was required to be Rs 10 lakh or below. Students who were beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Nijut Moina Scheme, those from private or open universities, or already employed candidates were not eligible.

What’s next

With the budget provision now approved, the disbursement of the monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 for the remaining 10 months to the 48,366 beneficiaries selected in 2025 is expected to proceed. According to the Assam Budget 2026-27 highlights, Jibon Prerana assistance for graduates is slated to resume from September. This ongoing support is crucial for the beneficiaries as they continue their efforts towards securing employment or pursuing further education.

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