The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Government of Assam, has issued an Executive Order detailing the implementation of the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni (MMNMA) and Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni (MMNBA) schemes, aimed at significantly boosting higher education enrollment across the state.
The directive, issued on October 1, 2026, sets the operational framework for these flagship initiatives, which provide financial assistance to eligible girl and boy students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in government and provincialised institutions. The schemes are a crucial step in the state’s efforts to enhance the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education and address dropout rates among students.
What was announced
The Directorate of Higher Education, Assam, formally announced the implementation of the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni (MMNMA) and Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni (MMNBA) through an Executive Order dated October 1, 2026. This order mandates the possession of a valid Aadhaar number for the online application and Aadhaar verification process under both schemes. It also outlines a mechanism to facilitate Aadhaar enrolment for eligible minor students who currently lack one, ensuring no deserving student is deprived of the opportunity due to non-availability of Aadhaar.
The announcement follows the ceremonial launch and distribution of application forms for the 2026-27 academic session, which commenced on August 6, 2026, with events across the state, including a central programme inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati. The application window for these schemes for the 2026-27 academic cycle was open from August 14 to September 5, 2026.
Why it matters
The implementation of MMNMA and MMNBA represents a significant expansion of the Assam government’s commitment to higher education, aiming to benefit a large cohort of students and improve the state’s overall educational landscape. The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni, specifically for girl students, seeks to encourage them to pursue education beyond matriculation, thereby improving female literacy rates and reducing dropout rates. It also serves as a strategic intervention to combat child marriage by empowering girls through sustained education.
The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni extends similar financial support to male students from economically weaker families, ensuring gender-balanced assistance and addressing dropout trends among boys. By providing direct financial incentives, both schemes aim to alleviate financial burdens on families, enabling students to focus on their studies without interruption. The government expects these initiatives to substantially increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education across Assam, aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Background
The Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni was initially announced during the Assam Budget 2024-25, with an allocation of ₹240 crore to empower over 10 lakh girls in higher education. The scheme was subsequently relaunched and its guidelines revised in 2025-26 and 2026 to widen coverage and rationalise benefits. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently highlighted the scheme’s role in promoting girls’ education and combating social issues like early marriage.
Following the success and demand for a similar initiative for boys, the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni was announced earlier in 2026 and officially launched by Chief Minister Sarma on February 26, 2026. The Chief Minister stated that the scheme was introduced in response to requests for a similar program for boys, following the positive impact of the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina scheme. These schemes build upon previous state initiatives like the Assam Pragyan Bharati Scheme, which provided scooters to meritorious girl students, and the Assam Abhinandan Education Loan Subsidy Scheme, aimed at reducing education loan burdens.
Key details
Both the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni (MMNMA) and Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni (MMNBA) facilitate financial assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The benefits are disbursed for up to ten months in an academic year, with no incentives provided during vacation months like June and July.
Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Aasoni (MMNMA) – For Girl Students
Under the revised guidelines, all girl students domiciled in Assam are eligible, irrespective of their family income, making the scheme universal. However, daughters of ministers, Members of Parliament, and Members of Legislative Assembly are excluded. Married girls are generally ineligible, with the exception of those pursuing postgraduate and B.Ed. courses. Students availing benefits under the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme or in-service girls admitted to B.Ed. on deputation are also not eligible.
Eligible girl students enrolled in government and provincialised educational institutions, central universities, approved venture educational institutions, and government polytechnic institutes receive the following monthly incentives:
- Higher Secondary (Class 11 & 12): ₹800 per month
- Undergraduate: ₹1,250 per month
- Postgraduate: ₹2,500 per month
- Polytechnic Students: ₹800 per month in the first two years and ₹1,250 per month in the third year.
A significant policy change will come into effect from the 2027-28 academic session, requiring girl students to choose between the state’s Fee Waiver Scheme or MMNMA, as simultaneous benefits will not be allowed.
Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu Aasoni (MMNBA) – For Male Students
The MMNBA scheme provides financial support to male students domiciled in Assam from families with an annual income below ₹4 lakh. Students must be admitted under the Fee Waiver Scheme of the Government of Assam and be regular students in government or provincialised educational institutions.
Ineligible categories include married undergraduate male students, those who have opted for the Dr. Banikanta Kakati Merit Award (scooter), and postgraduate students receiving benefits under the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme.
Eligible male students receive the following monthly incentives:
- Undergraduate (1st & 2nd Years): ₹1,000 per month
- Postgraduate (1st & 2nd Years): ₹2,000 per month
What’s next
With the application period for the 2026-27 academic cycle having concluded on September 5, 2026, the focus now shifts to the disbursement of benefits. Eligible students are expected to receive their financial assistance by October 12, 2026, according to recent announcements. Institutions are tasked with ensuring that all necessary Aadhaar verification and bank account seeding processes are completed to facilitate smooth Direct Benefit Transfers. The DHE will continue to monitor the implementation of these schemes to ensure their objectives of increasing higher education enrolment and reducing dropout rates are met.