The Assam government has announced the revival of the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme from September 2026, providing monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to unemployed fresh graduates across the state. The decision, revealed during the Assam Budget 2026-27 presentation, aims to bolster youth efforts in job searching and preparation for competitive examinations.

This renewed initiative by the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department seeks to alleviate financial burdens on young graduates transitioning from education to employment. The scheme is designed to offer a crucial financial cushion, enabling beneficiaries to focus on skill development, competitive exam preparation, or entrepreneurial ventures without immediate economic stress.

What was announced

Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah announced the resumption of the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme during the presentation of the Assam Budget 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly. The scheme, which provides Rs 2,500 per month to eligible unemployed fresh graduates, is set to restart its disbursements from September 2026.

The budget highlighted that the scheme currently benefits 48,366 graduates, underscoring its ongoing impact. The financial aid is intended to be disbursed for a period of 12 months, amounting to a total of Rs 30,000 annually per beneficiary.

Why it matters

The revival of the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme holds significant importance for Assam’s youth, particularly given the prevailing employment landscape. As of June 30, 2026, more than 15.43 lakh people are registered as unemployed in Assam, with graduates constituting the largest segment at 6,48,899 registrations. The monthly financial aid aims to provide stability to these job seekers, allowing them to invest in their future without immediate financial constraints.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently emphasised the government’s commitment to empowering youth and fostering an “Atmanirbhar Assam” through skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship. This scheme directly supports that vision by encouraging young individuals to prepare for government jobs or explore self-employment opportunities.

Background

The Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme was initially launched on November 3, 2025, as a key welfare initiative under the Assam Budget 2025-26. Its primary objective was to offer financial support to fresh graduates, specifically those who passed out in 2025 from government or public institutions in Assam, during their crucial transition from education to employment.

The scheme was introduced to address the challenges faced by young graduates, including financial struggles while preparing for competitive exams, seeking job interviews, or developing entrepreneurial ventures. The government clarified that the assistance is not an unemployment allowance but rather a motivational support to empower graduates in their career building efforts.

Assam has been grappling with a considerable unemployment challenge. In 2023-24, the state’s annual unemployment rate stood at 3.9 percent, which was higher than the national average of 3.2 percent. The data presented in the Assam Legislative Assembly on July 8, 2026, further highlighted that 15,43,350 individuals were registered as unemployed as of June 30, 2026, with Kamrup (M), Dibrugarh, and Barpeta districts recording the highest numbers.

The state government has introduced several other initiatives to support youth and employment. These include the Mukhya Mantrir Jibon Anuprerana Scheme, which provides financial assistance to research scholars, and the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Babu scheme, aimed at preventing higher education dropouts. Additionally, the Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan focuses on fostering entrepreneurship among youth with financial support ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

Chief Minister Sarma has consistently urged the youth to become job creators rather than job seekers, emphasising the importance of entrepreneurship and skill development. The Assam Budget 2026-27 further allocates Rs 496 crore for the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, signaling a broader strategy to develop industry-ready skills and prepare youth for emerging sectors like semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Key details

The Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme provides financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per month. This aid is disbursed for 12 months, bringing the total annual support to Rs 30,000. The funds are directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The scheme targets unemployed fresh graduates who are permanent residents of Assam and have completed their graduation from government or public institutions within the state. For the initial phase, eligibility was specifically for 2025 pass-outs.

Certain categories were excluded from the scheme’s initial implementation, including beneficiaries of the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina scheme, individuals pursuing professional or vocational courses, students from private colleges or open universities, already employed candidates, children of MLAs, MPs, Ministers, or contractors, and families with an annual income exceeding Rs 10 lakh.

What’s next

The financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana Scheme is slated to resume from September 2026. Further details regarding the application process for the next installment, including specific dates for new registrations or renewal processes, are expected to be announced by the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department. The government continues to integrate welfare schemes under a unified digital beneficiary platform with Aadhaar-based authentication to ensure targeted delivery.

Sources & References

Source: Assam Government / Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department